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ITEM 2 |
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City Council Memorandum City Magistrate Memo No. N/A
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| Date: |
June 27, 2024 |
| To: |
Mayor and Council |
| Thru: |
N/A |
| From: |
Alicia Skupin, City Magistrate |
| Subject: |
Agreement No. CC4-961-4762 for Public Defender Services |
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| Proposed Motion: |
| Move City Council approve Agreement No. CC4-961-4762, for public defender services, with Michael J. Smith, Attorney at Law; Elizabeth Gonzalez, AJ Law Group, PLC; Jared Allen, Law Office of Jared Allen PLLC; Ursula H. Kanjoma, Gordwin Law, PLLC; Manny A. Jacobo, Jacobo Law Firm, PLLC; Alex D. Gonzalez, Attorney at Law; and Christopher J. Palmisano, The Law Offices of Christopher J. Palmisano, PLC, for public defender services, in an amount not to exceed $427,000, for the period of one year, beginning July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with the option of up to four one-year extensions. |
| Background/Discussion: |
The United States Constitution, the Arizona Constitution, and the Rules of Criminal Procedure for the State of Arizona, Section III Rights of Parties, Rule 6- Attorneys, Appointment of Counsel, requires criminal defense representation be provided through the services of a Public Defender where such legal representation is required. The Public Defender shall be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona, be a member in good standing in the State Bar of Arizona, be professionally qualified to provide misdemeanor criminal defense representation, and be ready, willing, and able to do so.
Chandler Municipal Court previously contracted for public defender services with qualified individuals. The contracts with these individuals have expired; therefore, Chandler Municipal Court issued Request for Proposals No. CC4-961-4762 - City of Chandler Public Defender Services to solicit applicants with the intent of contracting the legal services of qualified public defenders. |
| Evaluation: |
On March 14, 2024, staff issued Request for Proposal No. CC4-961-4762 for public defender services. Notification was sent to all registered vendors. Fifteen proposals were received from the following offerors:
AJ Law Group, PLC
Alatorre Law, PC
Alex D. Gonzalez, Attorney at Law
Aredo Law Group, PLLC
Blischak Law, PLLC
Dworman Law
Gillespie & Associates
Gonzalez & Smith, P.C.
Gordwin Law, PLLC
Jacobo Law Firm, PLLC
The Law Offices of Christopher J. Palmisano, PLC
The Law Office of Jared Allen, PLLC
The Law Office of Paula Lorona, PLLC
Whittenton Law Group, LLC
Zalevsky Law, PLLC
Zazueta Law Group, PLLC
The Evaluation Committee evaluated the proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria and recommends award be made as follows:
Michael J. Smith, Attorney at Law - Full Time Public Defender, Slot 1
Elizabeth Gonzalez, AJ Law Group, PLC - Full Time Public Defender, Slot 2
Jared Allen, Law Office of Jared Allen PLLC - Full Time Public Defender, Slot 3
Ursula H. Kanjoma, Gordwin Law, PLLC - Full Time Public Defender, Slot 4
Manny A. Jacobo, Jacobo Law Firm, PLLC - Full Time Public Defender, Slot 5
Alex D. Gonzalez, Attorney at Law - Full Time Public Defender, Slot 6
Christopher J. Palmisano, The Law Offices of Christopher J. Palmisano, PLC - Part Time Public Defender, Veterans Court and Part Time Public Defender, Mental Health and Support Court
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| Financial Implications: |
| Chandler Municipal Court budgeted for its public defender services in the amount of $412,500 per year within its operating budget. This contract will compensate each of the six full-time attorneys at the rate of $60,000 per year, and two additional counsel services for the East Valley Regional Veterans' Court and Mental Health/Support Court at the rate of $12,000 and $20,000 respectively. |
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