The Washoe County Public Defender's Office is seeing a huge rise in its caseload, especially for issues related to mental illness.
Contributor Bob Conrad from our media partner ThisisReno explores why.
The Public Defender's Office is charged with defending those who cannot afford legal counsel and is asking the Washoe County Commission for a budget increase because resources are stretched thin.
"We are at the top level of capacity," says Public Defender Jeremy Bosler.
His office is seeing a 300 percent increase in mental health cases, especially those involving involuntary commitments.
"Our best estimate is that it's a byproduct of the Affordable Care Act--more people accessing mental health services because they're available to them," Bosler explains. "If they can't get sufficient treatment for their condition, they may be committed to the hospital.
Bosler says they need specialized resources to address this issue, which is why he's seeking funding for two new attorneys.