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The Kosciusko County Public Defender Board heard about a client communication tool for attorneys during a board meeting Thursday.
Jack Birch, chief public defender, discussed the Securus system, a fully web-based visitation system that allows attorneys to schedule and participate in video chats with incarcerated individuals.
"It's a feature that's available from the (Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office's) tablet system," said Birch. "It'll be our expense because it only benefits us, but there will be a contract going before the (Kosciusko County Commissioners) next week to establish a subscription."
He said it will cost the public defender's office around $6,000.
"It gives all the lawyers in our office the ability to go on a website, schedule virtual appointments with people in jail, upload documents, upload videos, upload audio files, basically anything electronic," said Birch. "If we need something signed by a client, we can get that done electronically if we need to. The hope is that will really speed up our communication process and means hopefully cases will move quicker."
If approved by the commissioners, Birch said the office's hope is to begin implementing Securus in early December.
For staffing at the public defender's office, Birch said several of the attorneys, from the state commission's standpoint, are "significantly over" on clients. However, Birch noted the office is running one attorney short as Antony Garza is currently serving as judge pro tempore in Whitley Superior Court. Birch told the board Garza should be returning on Jan. 1, 2026.
The board also:
• Set its quarterly 2026 meeting dates for Feb. 12, May 14, Aug. 13 and Nov. 12.
• Heard Paul Stoelting's term is set to expire. Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Matt Buehler said County Administrator Marsha McSherry asked him if Stoelting wanted to continue serving on the board. Stoelting said he would.
