Public Defender Association reports steady caseloads, highlights social-worker program and IDC-funded support

Benjamin Young, executive with the Utah County Public Defender Association, presented the office’s semiannual report to the Utah County Commission, saying overall case totals through June 30 were roughly consistent with past years but that early third‑quarter data show an increase as some matters shifted back from justice court to district court.

Josh, the association’s workload lead, told commissioners person‑crime, property‑crime and drug cases remain the majority of the caseload and reported the addition of two homicide matters after the report was prepared, including one capital case. He said the office also handles defense duties for specialty dockets including drug court, mental‑health court and veterans court.

Young and Josh emphasized a social‑work program the county funded last year. They said the program currently includes three social workers who support district‑court cases and two funded for juvenile court; staff reported 76 social‑work referrals from district court, 34 of which resulted in recommendations to file competency petitions. "Having the social workers is really a game changer," Josh said, noting social workers can help identify programs and reduce attorney time spent locating services.

On finances, Young said the association received $230,000 in non‑lapsing IDC funding that had to be spent by June 30, which affects year‑to‑date budget percentages. He characterized the PDA’s direct cost at roughly $300,000 and estimated county savings at about 1.5 times that amount when jail‑time and attorney‑time avoided by referrals are counted. Young also said about $100,000 of IDC funds supported defense resources and roughly $130,000 covered office and technology expenses that will be reimbursed to Utah County.

Commissioners asked for additional detail on social‑worker hours; presenters agreed to include that breakdown in the next report. Commissioners also asked whether the association participates in the county’s SelectHealth plan; Young said the association maintains its own benefits and 401(k) through GBS/Empower but aims for parity with county offerings and is open to comparing brokers.

The presentation concluded with the association offering to provide follow‑up materials on case trends and resource hours.