POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Assigned Counsel Program has experienced an increase in 18-b cases in both Family and Criminal Court in the county, creating a need for additional funds. The county legislature’s Family and Human Services Committee approved the request for an additional $550,000 to pay assigned counsel fees through the end of 2025. The full board will vote on the measure on Monday, December 8.
New York State will reimburse Dutchess County $137,500, bringing the additional burden to taxpayers down to $412,500 for 2025.
The 18-b assigned counsel program in New York State requires that county governments provide legal representation to people who cannot afford a private attorney, or, for financial or conflict reasons, are not eligible for an attorney from the public defender’s office. The 18-b attorneys provide representation in the appellate, criminal, and family courts. The attorneys who participate in the program have agreed to provide full representation to the clients at reduced fees, paid by the county.
Compounding the problem created by the increase in the number of cases, the conflict defender agreement between Dutchess and Ulster counties is ending. Attorneys in the conflict defender program provided representation to people eligible for a public defender but have a legal conflict with the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office.
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