Public Defender funding and the Page & Dudley alternate defense contract
Santa Cruz County
Summary
The county must replace its conflict defense contract by July 2027. The Page/Dudley firm argued the new RFP is rigged toward a public defender model; the board told staff to retool the RFP with more weight on effective representation and price and return by December 15.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
The public defender budget has grown from $14 million to $21 million since 2021-22, and the board flagged a $1.6 million gap in that department.
Defendants who cannot afford attorneys, through consistent Sixth Amendment representation.
If the gap is closed through deep cuts, clients and staff of the defense programs could lose services.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting - Sep 15, 2026
The county must replace its conflict defense contract by July 2027. The Page/Dudley firm argued the new RFP is rigged toward a public defender model; the board told staff to retool the RFP with more weight on effective representation and price and return by December 15.
Board of Supervisors - Last Day Budget Meeting - Jun 24, 2026
The Public Defender's budget passed 4-1, keeping the Page & Dudley conflicts firm fully funded at $2.47 million. Supervisor Martinez lost her push to trim that contract by 15%.
Board of Supervisors - Continued Budget Meeting - Jun 11, 2026
Speakers at general public comment and during budget hearings repeatedly urged the Board to close the Public Defender's funding gap, arguing its underfunding strains the whole justice system.
Board of Supervisors - Budget Meeting - Jun 10, 2026
The county proposed ending its 47-year contract with Page & Dudley for conflict-of-interest defense, saving money but cutting holistic defense capacity. Attorneys, former clients and advocates packed the hearing; the Board kept the contract for now and put the $1.1M gap question on staff for June 24.
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