Virginia Beach public defenders earn far less than prosecutors. Both sides want that to change. Alissa Skelton, The Virginian-Pilot
Public defenders work long hours, manage heavy caseloads and earn far less than the prosecutors.
The pay disparity between the two is so stark it leads to high turnover rates and inexperienced attorneys representing poor criminal defendants, said Virginia Beach’s Public Defender Cal Bain.
In the wake of discussions about criminal justice reform this year, Bain decided to ask the city council to consider providing up to $850,000 in its next budget to make the offices equal.
Public defenders, who represent the majority of criminal defendants in Virginia Beach, earn a starting salary of $53,000, Bain said, which is about $20,000 less than the lowest paid attorney in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.