Code of Alabama
Article 3 - Public Defenders.
Section 15-12-42 - Powers and Duties.

The public defender shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Within his or her geographic jurisdiction, the public defender shall provide indigent defense services as defined in Section 15-12-1 to indigent defendants.
(2) The public defender, at the request and with the consent of a municipal governing body and the office, shall represent indigent defendants in a municipal court within his or her geographic jurisdiction. The municipality shall reimburse the office of the public defender for the costs associated with the services rendered.
(3) The public defender, with consent of the director, may represent an indigent defendant in a state appellate court.