Title
a. Approve and authorize the Public Defender or their designee to execute a non-standard Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., for digital evidence management system in the amount of $1,214,803 for a ten-year term of July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2036;
b. Accept the risk provisions as recommended by the Public Defender;
c. Authorize the Public Defender or their designee to sign and execute the appropriate documents and verifications when required;
d. Authorize the Public Defender to issue purchase orders on an as-needed basis pursuant to this agreement over the period of July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2036.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Public Defender or their designee to execute a non-standard Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., for digital evidence management system in the amount of $1,214,803 for a ten-year term of July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2036;
b. Accept the risk provisions as recommended by the Public Defender;
c. Authorize the Public Defender or their designee to sign and execute the appropriate documents and verifications when required;
d. Authorize the Public Defender to issue purchase orders on an as-needed basis pursuant to this agreement over the period of July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2036.
SUMMARY:
The Public Defender currently relies on the County’s servers and Defender by Karpel (Karpel) case management system to store digital evidence. Implementing Axon’s cloud-based evidence management platform would provide seamless integration with Karpel, improve access to digital evidence, and leverage AI-powered tools to streamline evidence review and enhance attorney and investigator workflows.
DISCUSSION:
The volume and complexity of digital evidence in criminal cases continues to grow significantly. Body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, digital photographs, audio recordings, cell phone extractions, and other electronic records now constitute a substantial portion of the evidence reviewed by attorneys and investigators. The Public Defender's Office currently relies on County servers and Defender by Karpel (Karpel) case management system to store and manage information. As digital evidence files become larger and more numerous, the need for a more efficient and economical solution has become increasingly important.
Implementing Axon, a cloud-based digital evidence management platform, integrated directly with Karpel, would provide a comprehensive solution for managing, reviewing, and organizing digital evidence. The integration would allow users to access evidence directly from the case management system without the need to navigate multiple platforms, reducing administrative burden and improving workflow efficiency.
Axon's artificial intelligence and automated review tools would further enhance the office's ability to analyze large volumes of evidence. Features such as searchable transcripts, automated audio and video processing, and advanced evidence organization tools can significantly reduce the time attorneys and investigators spend reviewing evidence. This allows staff to focus more of their time on case preparation, client advocacy, and investigative activities rather than administrative tasks.
Additionally, cloud-based storage provides a more scalable and secure environment for managing digital evidence. As evidence files continue to increase in size, reliance on local server storage can create capacity challenges and increased infrastructure costs. Axon offers a secure platform designed specifically for criminal justice agencies, ensuring evidence is stored, managed, and shared efficiently while maintaining appropriate security controls and chain of custody documentation.
The integration of Axon and Karpel would modernize the Public Defender's evidence management processes, improve operational efficiency, strengthen case preparation, and help ensure that attorneys and investigators have timely access to critical information needed to provide effective representation to clients.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved as to form.
FINANCING:
The costs associated with this agreement are included in the existing Public Defender’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget, Fund 001, department 2270, Budget Unit 8169, Appropriation Unit PUB001. Future year’s costs will be included in the respective annual budgets.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This contract meets the Board’s strategic initiatives by creating a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading business and communities to thrive and grow while reducing violent crimes.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]:
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_X___ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
If does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
____ Administrative [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]
Link to the Strategic Plan:
<https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139569>
Prepared by: Becky Avila, Management Analyst II, Ext. 3048
Approved by: Raymond Buenaventura, Public Defender, Ex. 5806
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc.