In 2020, VOICE played a major role in creating the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in Prince WIlliam County, replacing the county’s deeply flawed and inadequate previous system of court-appointed representation.
This year, VOICE focused on raising the local contribution that the county makes to support the OPD so that the OPD has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission. After numerous meetings with county board members, letter writing, and public testimony by VOICE leaders, yesterday the county board voted to raise the local supplement from 15% to 25%, an overall increase of more than $350,000. VOICE thanks Chair Wheeler and the Board for its leadership in taking this important step!