Local Politics · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County Cuts 7 Public Defender Positions Effective Nov. 30
Stanislaus County supervisors approved deleting seven positions in the Public Defender's Office effective Nov. 30 after federal grant funding expired without renewal. Five roles—two upper-level social workers, a paralegal, a caseworker and a staff services analyst—were funded by a $2.15 million Justice Assistance Grant Program supporting early representation before arraignment. Two additional positions in post-conviction and appellate representation were supported by an expiring public defense pilot program grant. Public Defender Jennifer Jennison said the programs will continue but with reduced staffing, merging affected clients into the general caseload. The JAG-funded teams had conducted over 1,200 client assessments, resulting in 434 releases on their own recognizance.