To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Coroner's Inquest Hearing Contract
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
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 $25,000, for the period May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $25,000 in contractual service expenditures over a 2-year period 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.
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.