Columbiana Co. OKs criminal-defense pact

STAFF REPORT

LISBON — The Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday approved a new contract to pay for the defense of some criminal defendants.

Atty. Fred Naragon told the commissioners, “We have to get this contract signed before next year.”

Naragon is the president of the Criminal Defense Company, a nonprofit corporation in Salem that provides legal representation to people who can’t afford a lawyer. The corporation serves as the public defender’s office for the county. The program began in 1997.

The payment of $405,500 is exactly the same for 2010 as it was for 2009, he said.

About 10 lawyers in the county help with the cases. Defendants who can’t afford a lawyer can have one appointed by a judge. The bad news is that criminal cases are up by 10 percent to 15 percent this year over last year, Naragon said. He was not sure of the exact number of cases the company has presently.

If the caseload continues to increase, Naragon said he would have no choice to come back and get more money to continue operations.

The funds will be sent to the company each quarter.

The commissioners will have about $400,000 less in revenue in 2010 and aren’t sure if the economy will be stagnant or pick up.

wilkinson@vindy.com