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MAR-22-01 13.20 FROM•PUBLIC DEFENDER ID•1B0B9749574 PAGE 2/3 OFFICE OF THE PUBLJC DEFENDER sraTE of ?iawa•( 275 Ponehawal 6lrest, Sulb~ 201 Hilo, H~wi i 96720 Tdrphone: (808)9744571 Fmc: (808744574 March 22, 2001 Mayor Harry 1Cim and Members o! the County Council County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Re: v+~lenc AaalrRr Qiildrea IDoit Dear Mayor 1Cim and Council Members: I have been asked by the Hawaii County Prosecutor's Oftice to submit input regarding its request for county funding of its violence Against c~.ildrea (VACA) unit. I am the supervising deputy public defender for this island. On the Big Island, we have twelve deputy public defenders. AS deputy public defenders, we represent indigent clients charged with criminal offenses. Obviously, a number of these clients have been charged with offenses against children. I do not believe our input regarding the VACA unit is inconsistent arith our commitment to our clients or the preservation of the rights o! the accused. For example, under our laws, there are a dumber of alternatives in the ultimate disposition of a criminal case. In the area of offenses against children, one such alternative is the expedited sentencing program, S<2S $707-606.3. The expedited sentencing program seeks to encourage speedy disposition of intra- family sexual assault cases by early intervention and treatment of the offender, the complainant minor, and the family. In these cases, the participation of a seasoned and focused deputy prosecuting attorney is essential for the effective application of the law. Moreover, I do not think you have to be on the side of the defense or on the side of the prosecution to realize that the allegations made by children leading to criminal prosecution must be treated in a sensitive and sensible manner.