Sec. 5. (a) The board, or joint board of a multicounty public defender's office created under section 3.5 of this chapter, shall prepare a comprehensive plan that must include at least one (1) of the following methods of providing legal defense services to indigent persons:
(1) Establishing a county or multicounty public defender's office.
(2) Contracting with an attorney, a group of attorneys, or a private organization.
(3) Using an assigned counsel system of panel attorneys for case by case appointments under section 9 of this chapter.
(4) In a county described in section 1(5) of this chapter, establishing a public defender's office for the criminal division of the superior court.
(b) The plan prepared under subsection (a) shall be submitted to the Indiana public defender commission.
(c) If a multicounty public defender's joint board is established under section 3.5 of this chapter, the comprehensive plan shall establish a multicounty public defender's office.
[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-9-15-5.]
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.69-2019, SEC.6; P.L.104-2022, SEC.139.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 33. Courts and Court Officers
Chapter 7. County Public Defender Boards
33-40-7-1. Application of Chapter
33-40-7-3. Establishment of Board; Members; Terms; Chairperson; Meetings; Termination
33-40-7-3.5. Creation of Multicounty Public Defender's Office; Joint Board
33-40-7-4. Reimbursement for Expenses
33-40-7-6. Duties of Board; Term, Removal, and Qualifications of County Public Defender
33-40-7-7. Duties of County or Multicounty Public Defender
33-40-7-8. Contracts to Provide Legal Representation
33-40-7-9. Assigned Counsel System
33-40-7-10. Court Appointment of Counsel or Co-Counsel