"LIDAB voted to begin accepting applications for funds for Expert Witnesses and Testing in Capital cases.  This applies to districts as well as our conflict panels.  We are expecting a few speed bumps getting the checks cut through the Administration since this is new.  The old fund required a Touchet hearing and a court order.  The new fund does not require that, so there is no reason to ask the judge.  LIDAB staff will evaluate the request and make a decision."

Juvenile Courts Help at 2.5 million dollars

"In response to the recent juvenile survey we sent out, LIDAB will be sending 20 districts which responded with a need and a plan, a total of $2,481,775 for 39 new juvenile attorneys, 10 juvenile investigators and 12 juvenile support staff.  This is for calendar year 2007 and will be sending that out shortly.  Additionally, we will be hiring a Juvenile Project Director to monitor juvenile defense across the state and offer assistance to the local districts in setting up effective representation of juveniles."

"The new juvenile money will require the signing of an agreement to spend the money strictly on juvenile representation and will require the districts to report to LIDAB with data to support those expenditures.  Also required will be mandatory attendance at a specialized juvenile training program to be put together by LIDAB, at no cost to the districts other than travel if necessary.  There may be some specific requirements for certain districts, based upon their programs."

New Fund for District Assistance is Directed to Compliance Issues

"I will be using the Compliance Assistance Fund survey to first, send some immediate money to districts which need short term assistance complying with the online data collection, and second to determine other amounts to go to the districts based on the responses.  The second distribution will come after we have compiled the data from the online software.  That is why it is important for every district to be inputting their data quickly." 

Web Based Data is Mandatory - Freeze on DAF for non-compliance

"The dates for compliance with the online data collection have been changed somewhat.  The new deadlines are to be inputting data by December 31, 2006 or LIDAB will hold the district’s DAF until they have complied.  The new deadline for full compliance, that is all data entered, will be February 1, 2007.  After that date, not only will DAF be withheld, LIDAB will begin to fine the local district $100 per day according to the statute.  Because some districts are having problems entering the old data with current staff, we will entertain applications for temporary staff to input the data.  Also, we will be entertaining other requests that a district needs to comply."

Client contact Rule amended

"The board took two other actions which need to be made known.  The 72 hour rule for contacting a client has been changed from “within 72 hours of arrest” to “within 72 hours of appointment.”