Abstract
We present a design for evaluating tiered systems of service providers in which assigned service providers are compared with each other through comparison against a benchmark of privately purchased providers. It tests the utility of this approach to data collec tion and analysis by evaluating the quality of two systems for providing representation to indigent defendants: a part-time public defender versus ad hoc appointment of the private bar. In addition, this article recognizes the need to consider the costs associated with provisions of services. It is unique in estimating costs for specific types of cases (felonies and misdemeanors) rather than aggregating across case types. Finally, the arti cle is the first to present a method for estimating cost per case among case types for a system where only a lump sum payment is made.
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