To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Coroner's Inquest Hearing Contract
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Sheriff-Coroner or designee, to execute a contract containing mutual indemnification language with Matthew Guichard for coroner's inquest hearing services, in an amount not to exceed $49,575, for the period May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $49,575 in contractual service expenditures and will be funded 100% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Matthew Guichard is a nationally recognized trial lawyer that has been working with Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff's Coroner's Division since 2005. He is contracted to serve as a Hearing Officer in Coroner's Inquests. He conducts the jury, presents the witnesses, questions the witnesses and reads the jury instructions to the jury.
The department is seeking approval of this contract, which was delayed due to a substantial number of contracts being processed by the Office of the Sheriff.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Office of the Sheriff will need to search for a different hearing officer, which may delay important cases.