Lenoir County Commissioners recognize volunteers, back public defender's office
The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners honored community volunteers and voiced support for the creation of a Public Defender’s Office during its regular meeting last month at the Lenoir County Administration Building.
Two residents were awarded the 2025 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for their community involvement. Marsha Lovick, an Extension Master Gardener and President of the NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association, was honored for her dedication to horticultural education and outreach. Dr. Tammy Kelly, Director of NC Cooperative Extension, introduced Lovick, and Commissioner Harris read a list of her volunteer accomplishments. Chairman Sutton presented Lovick with a plaque, a Governor’s Pin, and a Lenoir County Pin.
Michael Jones, Cub Master and Scout Master for BSA Troop 424 and Chief of the Sand Hill Volunteer Fire Department, was recognized as the second award recipient. Jones was lauded for his extensive volunteer work with youth and emergency services. Commissioner Harris read a summary of Jones’s contributions before Chairman Sutton presented him with the same honors.
In a key agenda item, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Imelda Pate addressed the board to advocate for establishing a Public Defender’s Office in Lenoir County. Pate outlined current limitations in the county’s indigent defense system, which relies on privately contracted attorneys under the state’s Indigent Defense Services (IDS) system. She emphasized the constitutional right to legal counsel, noting that a dedicated Public Defender’s Office would improve consistency in representation and reduce the risk of constitutional violations.
Judge Imelda Pate addressed the board in support of creating a Public Defender’s Office in Lenoir County, citing constitutional concerns and inefficiencies in the current indigent defense system. She noted that the county presently relies on a limited number of private attorneys—two handling high-level felonies and two handling lower-level cases—and that while networking has helped cover cases, it is not a sustainable or consistent solution. Establishing a dedicated office would enhance legal representation for low-income defendants and reduce the risk of constitutional violations. Pate emphasized that while the office's staff would be state employees, the county would be responsible only for providing office space.
Judge Pate added that while Public Defender’s Office staff would be state employees, the county would need to provide office space—a cost she described as minimal compared to the benefits.
Following her remarks, Commissioner Harris read a resolution supporting the establishment of a Public Defender’s Office in Lenoir County. The board expressed general consensus in favor of the resolution.
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