Public defender caseload discussed

DAVENPORT - Lincoln County commissioners on Monday, Dec. 15, received an update on public defense services, including caseload pressures, statewide standards and a contract adjustment for the county's public defender.

Public defender Dave Hearrean told commissioners his workload is manageable but requires careful monitoring to remain sustainable. Hearrean said he currently carries 83 cases and is working with judges to resolve certain low-level matters efficiently.

"If I get a case as public defender of the day and it counts as 1.7 of a case, something I can do in one day, the judges and I are...