The County Public Defender Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(A) Prepare a comprehensive plan for providing legal representation to indigent defendants/ respondents in the county, in accordance with I.C. 33-40. The comprehensive plan shall, at a minimum, provide for:
(1) Legal representation to an indigent defendant/respondent at the earliest possible point in time;
(2) Legal representation to an indigent defendant/respondent by the same attorney, or attorneys, through the pendency of the matter to the greatest extent possible; and/or
(3) Professional development, continuing legal education, and malpractice coverage for public defenders.
(B) Establish policies and procedure for the provision of competent legal representation for indigent defendants/respondents in criminal, juvenile, probation violation, extradition, child support, and criminal contempt, and other matters pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan;
(C) Establish guidelines and procedures for the determination of indigence and for the appropriate reimbursement for legal representation provided at public expense, in accordance with I.C. 33-37;
(D) Recommend an annual operating budget for the agency and monitor the expenditures of funds; and
(E) Prepare, and submit, to the County Council, and the general public, an annual report on the operation of the agency.
(Ord. 99-3, passed 5-19-1999)