Suffolk 18B.org
Introduction
The Family Law Committee of the Suffolk
County Psychological Association
(SCPA) and Touro Law Center are
providing consultations for attorneys,
whose practice is in the area of family
law, including matrimonial issues.
Click
here to find out more...


Welcome to the Website of the Suffolk County Assigned Counsel Defender
Plan.

Both constitutional and statutory law require New York to provide counsel to
certain individuals financially unable to obtain counsel.  In Suffolk County,
“mandated representation” is provided under the Suffolk County Assigned
Counsel Defender Plan, which was devised by the Suffolk County Bar
Association and the Suffolk County Criminal  Bar Association pursuant to
County Law Article 18-B.

County Law Article 18-B authorizes Suffolk County  to choose one or a
combination of several options for providing representation to eligible clients,
including  public defender office; a private legal aid bureau or society or, in
Family Court matters, any corporation or voluntary association or organization
permitted to practice law under Judiciary Law § 495(7); or the assignment of
private practitioners pursuant to an assigned counsel plan. County Law § 722.

The objective of the Suffolk County Assigned Counsel Defender Plan is to
ensure high quality legal services for every individual represented under the
plan. The county is entitled to consider costs as a relevant factor in devising
its representation plan, but it cannot ignore its constitutional, statutory and
moral duty to provide quality counsel to those who cannot afford
representation.
The Plan's intent is to provide representation to indigent defendants and
provide remuneration to counsel.  The fee award provision is not intended to
completely eliminate the pro bono aspect of a lawyer's role in representing
indigent defendants, but to compensate the attorneys who accept such
assignments at reasonable hourly rates.  

This website provides information regarding the 18B program, including our
policies,
requirements, samples and procedures for compensation, as well as links to
other helpful websites.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our 18B program, please
review our
qualifications.

If you qualify and would like to be considered for participation in the panel,
download the application and return it to our office.

Thank you to all of our participating panelists
chris.

David H. Besso
Administrator
COMPENSATION RATE GUIDELINES FOR
COURT-APPOINTED NON-LAWYER
PROFESSIONALS

Click
here to read about the guidelines.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE
ASSIGNED COUNSEL DEFENDER PLAN
OF SUFFOLK COUNTY DOES NOT
PROVIDE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT, NOR
COMPENSATE COUNSEL FOR PAROLE
HEARINGS.  
The Assigned Counsel Defender Plan in
conjunction with District Court, Central
Islip, is implementing a “Prisoner Part”
calendar rotation.   The Prisoner Part and
judge rotates every week.   Basically, it
will work similar to the DV Calendar –
with the exception that it will be an “on
call” calendar.  You will contact Halina on
your assigned calendar date to find out
which part to appear and when the
prisoner will be brought up.

Assignments from this part are
misdemeanors only.

If you would like to participate for these
types of assignments, please e-mail me
or fax (631) 666-8401.  I would like to
implement this calendar as soon as
possible. Thank you.
ORDERS FOR EXPERTS AND APPROVING
FEE OVER STATUTORY CAP

Please be advised that Orders for Expert
services and ones approving fees over
statutory cap accompanying your vouchers
MUST be the original signed by the judge
and/or a certified copy. Same must also
include the exact name and address of the
expert being used.  Any voucher
accompanied by a “Generic” Order and/or
copy will be returned.  
To help expedite the processing of
appeals vouchers, the Appellate Division
has implemented changes in voucher
policy, effective April 1, 2011.  Visit the
Appeals page to read the changes and  
access the new worksheet.
The Legislature passed a bill adding
legal aid bureaus and societies and other
private entities providing services under
County Law 722 to the list of entities that
cannot be charged for searching records
of the DMV and for  copies of DMV
documents.  THE LAW ALREADY
EXEMPTS PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES
FROM PAYING THOSE FEES.
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