Adult Criminal Indigent Legal Services - REOPEN

Pinal County is seeking to enter into contracts with qualified individual attorneys to provide Adult Criminal Indigent Legal Services to indigent adults who are entitled to counsel by law.

The goal of the Public Defense Services Office is to provide superior legal representation, safeguard fundamental individual rights, and ensure equal access to the protections afforded by the United States Constitution, the Arizona Constitution, and the laws of Arizona. PDS strives to ensure that clients can achieve optimal results in resolution of their legal matters, thereby safeguarding the constitutional rights of the community at large.

The Contractor shall adhere to the following minimum specifications, performance requirements, and all terms and conditions within this contract.

Attorney Minimum Qualifications

• Contractor shall have a Juris Doctor ("J.D.") degree from an American Bar Association ("ABA") accredited law school.
• Contractor shall be licensed by the State Bar of Arizona and shall be a member of the State Bar of Arizona in good standing for the duration of any contract award.
• Contractor shall, except as otherwise specified herein or required by Arizona Court Rules, have at least two (2) years of relevant experience practicing law in the area(s) of practice for which the Contractor enters into this contract.

Area of Practice

Contractors shall provide legal services as assigned in the following proceedings, as determined by the area of practice in which the Contractor and Pinal County agree, and for which the Contractor is deemed by Pinal County to be qualified:

• Tier One Felony.
• Tier Two Felony.
• Early Disposition Court.
• Probation Violation.
• Misdemeanor.
• Witness Representation.
• Adult Criminal Initial Appearances and any follow-up hearing(s).
• Mental Health.
• Sexually Violent Persons.
• Other representation in accordance with A.R.S. § 11-584.

Contractor's Responsibilities

Contractor's representation shall include, but is not limited to:

• Contact with the Client within a maximum of four (4) business days of Contractor's notice of assignment regardless of whether client is in-custody or out-of-custody.
• Appearing in court on time at whatever time the court designates.
• Contractor shall accept all assignments made by the County, unless Contractor is not ethically permitted to accept the representation.
• All billing and reporting shall be conducted through the PDS legal case management system.

Contractors shall bill PDS for services rendered on a monthly basis through the PDS Case Management System.

**Submission method:** Proposals will only be accepted online through the Pinal County Bonfire portal at https://pinalcountyaz.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/255183

The County will not consider a proposal submitted by any other method other than through Bonfire, and it will be deemed void upon submission.

All requested information listed in Attachment B that has been identified as "Required" MUST be submitted as part of the Responder's proposal.

The County anticipates making multiple awards but has the discretion to award to one Contractor.

The term of the contract will continue through the remaining fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 unless canceled, terminated, extended or renewed for a maximum of three (3) additional one-year terms.

Responder shall hold the offer open for one hundred eighty (180) days after the solicitation due date indicated within the Executive Summary section of this solicitation.