(A) There is created the Office of Indigent Defense under the jurisdiction of the commission. The office must be administered by an executive director appointed by the commission. The executive director may hire other administrative, clerical, and legal staff and is authorized to contract with outside consultants on behalf of the office as he considers necessary to provide the services as required pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(B) The executive director shall:
(1) administer and coordinate the operations of the office and all divisions within the office and supervise compliance among the circuit defender offices with rules, procedures, regulations, and standards adopted by the commission;
(2) maintain proper records of all financial transactions related to the operation of the office;
(3) coordinate the services of the office with any federal, county, private, or other programs established to provide assistance to indigent persons entitled to representation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and consult with professional organizations concerning the implementation and improvement of programs for providing indigent services;
(4) prepare and submit annually to the commission a proposed budget for the provision of statewide indigent defense services; and prepare and submit an annual report containing pertinent data on the operations, costs, and needs of the state's indigent defense system and other information as the commission may require;
(5) coordinate in the development and implementation of rules, policies, procedures, regulations, and standards adopted by the commission to carry out the provisions of this chapter and comply with all applicable laws and standards;
(6) maintain proper records of all financial transactions related to the operation of the commission;
(7) apply for and accept on behalf of the commission funds that may become available from any source, including government, nonprofit, or private grants, gifts, or bequests;
(8) provide for the training of attorneys and other staff involved in the legal representation of persons subject to the provisions of this chapter;
(9) attend all commission meetings, except those meetings or portions of the meetings that address the question of appointment or removal of the director;
(10) ensure that the expenditures of the commission are not greater than the amounts budgeted or available from other revenue sources; and
(11) perform other duties as the commission assigns.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 45C; 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2, eff July 1, 2005; 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 17 - Criminal Procedures
Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents
Section 17-3-10. Persons entitled to counsel shall be so advised; when counsel shall be provided.
Section 17-3-20. Appointment of counsel for indigents charged with murder; compensation.
Section 17-3-40. Creation of claim against assets and estate of person for whom counsel is provided.
Section 17-3-55. Carry-forward of unpaid obligations.
Section 17-3-110. Power of Supreme Court to establish rules and regulations.
Section 17-3-310. Commission created; appointment of members; terms; powers and duties.
Section 17-3-320. Office of Indigent Defense; executive director; appointment; duties.
Section 17-3-330. Duties of Office of Indigent Defense.
Section 17-3-340. Duties of commission.
Section 17-3-370. Appointment of counsel by court.
Section 17-3-520. Circuit public defender; qualifications; responsibilities.
Section 17-3-530. Chief county public defenders; responsibilities and duties.
Section 17-3-540. Maintenance and staffing of county public defender offices.
Section 17-3-560. Administration of funds.
Section 17-3-570. Administration of personnel.
Section 17-3-580. Public defenders; requirements as to employment.
Section 17-3-590. Office space and equipment.
Section 17-3-600. Existing contracts for providing indigent defense services.