AT THE SAME TIME THAT PROPOSITION 13 WAS REDUCING CALIFORNIA PROPERTY TAXES, AND, THEREFORE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE FOR ALL PUBLIC SERVICES, THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WAS STAGGERING UNDER RECORD CASELOADS. DURING FISCAL YEAR 1977-1978 THE OFFICE RECEIVED 25,854 NEW CASES, A SLIGHT DECREASE (0.3 PERCENT) OVER 1976-1977. HOWEVER, COURT APPEARANCES INCREASED FROM 65,299 TO 68,191 AND THE CASELOAD OF EACH OF THE 58 STAFF ATTORNEYS AVERAGED 445 NEW CASES AND 1,175 COURT APPEARANCES. THE AVERAGE COST PER CASE WAS $121.34 COMPARED TO A COST OF $554.34 FOR APPOINTED PRIVATE COUNSEL. BECAUSE OF PROPOSITION 13 THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET WAS CUT 6 PERCENT; THIS FORCED A STAFF REDUCTION OF 4 ATTORNEYS AND 1 STENOGRAPHER. THE LOSS OF THE TRAINING OFFICER AND THE LEAD ATTORNEY IN THE SUPERIOR COURT HAS MEANT A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN TRAINING FOR NEW DEFENDERS. THE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM WAS DROPPED, ALSO. NEW PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH THE STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE APPOINTMENT OF A STATE TRAINING DIRECTOR, A BRIEF BANK SYSTEM, AN IMPROVED POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, AND WORK ON BAR ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES IN VARIOUS AREAS. THE REPORT ALSO INCLUDES FINANCIAL DATA, AN ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY, A ROSTER OF BOTH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, WORKLOAD REPORTS WITH 5-YEAR COMPARISONS, AND A COST-PER-CASE REPORT. (GLR)