Proposed public defender roster

St. Joseph County’s roster of public defender attorneys appears to be set for the 2022-23 state fiscal year, as the matter was discussed during last week’s board of commissioners’ executive committee meeting.

Chief Public Defender Keith Stickley said the proposed eight-person roster is comprised of: Laurie Hines, John Bush, Rhonda Ives, Luke Nofsinger, Tim George, Paul Gipson, Melissa Hallack and Ross Truckey.

Stickley said Christine Yancey and Jordan Yancey opted out of the public defender contract for the year.

The proposed roster and 2023 Indigent Defense Agreement contract are to be discussed before commissioners and approved at their monthly board meeting at 5 p.m. today.

Stickley said looking ahead, there is a chance the county may be required to hire at least three defense attorneys, putting them on the county’s payroll. Stickley, who handles arraignments, conflicts and probation violations, said he is the only in-house defense attorney.

For now, public defenders are hired through an outside party and not directly on the county’s payroll.