Louisiana

Indigent Defense Assistance Board

Minutes of the Board Meeting

14 January 2000

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Adams & Reese Law Firm

Members Present: Risley C. Triche, Chair; Thomas A. Casey, Vice-Chair; Addison K. Goff, IV (by phone); Wayne Lee (by phone); Robert McLeod (by phone); Donald Phelps; and Freddie Pitcher.

Ex Officio Members Present: Anthony Champagne and James Boren.

Staff Present: Jelpi P. Picou, Jr.

Call to Order and Opening Remarks. The meeting was called to order at 10:18 a.m. by the Chair, who welcomed members to the meeting of the Indigent Defense Assistance Board; roll call demonstrated that a quorum was present.

Recognition of Justice Pike Hall, Jr. The Chair noted the recent and untimely death of Justice Pike Hall, Jr., a member of the LIDAB and spoke on Justice Hall’s accomplishments and contributions to the Board. It was recommended by the Chair that the Board pass a resolution recognizing the loss of a valued member. On the motion of Mr. Casey and a second by Mr. Phelps, a resolution was passed without objection. A copy of the resolution, as approved, is attached to these minutes.

Post-Conviction Update. The staff gave an update on the funding problems in capital post-conviction. It was noted that no money has been forthcoming from the legislature and that the state is now facing a deficit of approximately $450 million for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. The Board discussed whether District Assistance Funds should be used to defray the expenses of the mandated post-conviction services, but delayed doing so because of the fiscal impact such a move would have on the judicial district indigent defender boards. Upon motion of Mr. Casey, with a second by Mr. Phelps, the Board passed a resolution directing the staff to apply to the Interim Emergency Board, to fund—on an interim emergency basis only—cases with outstanding warrants or filing deadlines, and to fund these cases through a reduction to all other LIDAB programs. A copy of the emergency resolution is attached to these minutes.

Technical Assistance Review. At the request of the Chair, this agenda item was deferred until the next meeting of the Board. The staff was directed to be prepared to give a review of the educational support portion of this budget item.

Emergency Contract for Eighth JDC IDB. The Chair entertained the emergency request from the Eighth Judicial District Indigent Defender Board. Following three months of lower-than-expected revenues, the district board was facing a deficit of $12,500 for the remainder of the fiscal year and was not able to make payroll for the months of December and January. After questioning by the members of the Board, the staff noted that the request was in order and supported by financial documents as requested. Upon the motion of Mr. Pitcher, seconded by Mr. Goff, the Board approved the request without dissent.

Juvenile Regional Center. The staff gave a brief update on its application for the Southeast Regional Juvenile Defender Center. Following questions by members of the Board, the staff noted that if the grant is awarded to the LIDAB it will not require an increase in the LIDAB’s Juvenile Program budget for the next fiscal year.

Other Business. At the request of the chair, the next meeting of the Board was called for Monday, February 14, 2000 at the Adams & Reese Law Firm in Baton Rouge.

Adjournment. There being no additional business brought to the attention of the Board, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and passed without objection.