THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM PROVIDES DEFENSE SERVICES FOR NEEDY PERSONS ACCUSED OF CRIME AND PAYS THE DEFENDER A FIXED RATE PER HOUR OF SERVICE. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM IS A METHOD OF SUPPLYING CONSTITUTIONALLY-REQUIRED DEFENSE SERVICES WITH THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES: (1) IT REQUIRES THE WORK OF FEWER ATTORNEYS THAN THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM, AND THESE ATTORNEYS BECOME MORE EXPEDITIOUS AND EXPERT AT THE JOB THROUGH CONSTANT EXPOSURE; (2) THE ATTORNEYS PROVIDE EQUAL REPRESENTATION TO PERSONS NEEDING PUBLIC DEFENSE SERVICES SINCE THEIR EXPERTISE DOES NOT VARY SIFNIFICANTLY; AND (3) THE SYSTEM ELIMINATES WASTED HOURS IN COURT AND PLEA NEGOTIATIONS AND ATTORNEY 'TRAINING' TIME. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM DISPOSED OF 5,505 CASES IN 1977, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 14 PERCENT IN TOTAL CASELOAD HANDLED BETWEEN 1976 AND 1977. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM RECEIVED LEAA FUNDS TO BEGIN AN 'ACCESS TO THE COURTS' PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED FUNDS TO NEEDY PERSONS WANTING TO APPEAL CONVICTIONS FOR SEROUS CRIMES OR TO OBTAIN LEGAL REPRESENTATION WHILE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT OR THE STATE. FEDERAL FUNDS WERE ALSO RECEIVED FOR AN INVESTIGATORS PROJECT TO FREE PUBLIC DEFENDERS FROM TIME-CONSUMING INVESTIGATIONS, AND A PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, AND EVALUATION PROJECT TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND SUPPORTING SECRETARY TO ESTABLISH IMPROVED PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND EVALUATION CAPABILITIES. APPENDED TABLES PRESENT DATA ON CASELOADS, KINDS OF CASES DISPOSED OF AND DISPOSITION RESULTS, NUMBER OF PERSONS REPRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT ACCORDING TO COUNTY, APPEALS, AND ASSIGNED COUNSEL (COST PER CASE, CASES CLOSED, AND TYPES OF OFFENSES). (DAG)