BEDFORD – The Lawrence County Public Defenders Office has moved to Plaza Courthouse and the remodeling will be completed by the end of the month, Chief Public Defender Tim Sledd reported to the commissioners Tuesday morning.
“This is a big important move and will save money,” Sledd said during an earlier meeting. The county can get reimbursement from the state commission on improvements and will also facilitate clinics finding us. When we’re at Dunn Plaza it sometimes took days for a clinic to come in and make contact. Now we are in the same buildings as the court and they just have to walk upstairs.”
Remodeling had to be completed to prepare the offices. Community Corrections crews helped with the move and painting of the offices saving the county money.
Sledd said the remodeling project was delayed after a contractor became ill and was unable to work.
Cameras were also installed as an added security measure.
As agency chief, Sledd oversees the staff of defense attorneys, monitors caseloads, meets reporting requirements of the Indiana Public Defender Commission, and prepares an annual budget. For 2022, the agency has a budget of nearly $900,000.
