Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:152 – State public defender; qualifications; powers and duties; salary
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:152
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Defense attorney: Represent defendants in criminal matters.
- indigent defender: means an attorney employed by or under contract with the board, the office, or a district public defender to provide legal counsel to an indigent person in a criminal proceeding. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:143
- indigent defender services: means the providing of legal services to indigent persons in criminal proceedings in which the right to counsel attaches under the United States and Louisiana constitutions. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:143
- Office: means the office of the state public defender authorized to:
(a) Regulate and fund public defender services and provide financial support to other service programs that provide services to persons adjudicated in the criminal justice system. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:143
- Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
- State public defender: means the person appointed by the governor, subject to approval of a majority of the board and Senate confirmation, to administer the statewide public defender system for the delivery of public defender services. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:143
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
A. There shall be a state public defender who shall be appointed by the governor and meet the following qualifications:
(1) Meet the qualifications provided for in La. Rev. Stat. 15:150(B).
(2) Be an attorney licensed to practice law in Louisiana with at least twenty years of experience with at least seven years of experience as a criminal defense attorney.
B. The state public defender shall:
(1) Establish and maintain, in a cost-effective manner, the delivery of legal services to persons entitled to, and financially eligible for, appointed counsel in criminal proceedings at state expense under Louisiana law, the Constitution of Louisiana, and the United States Constitution and consistent with the standards of national justice and those established by the Louisiana Supreme Court.
(2) Develop, present for the board’s approval, and implement a strategic plan for the delivery of public defender services.
(3) Implement and ensure compliance with contracts, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines adopted pursuant to rule or required by statute.
(4) Prepare the budget of the office.
(5) Negotiate contracts, as appropriate, for providing legal services to persons financially eligible for appointed counsel at state expense. The provisions of this Paragraph are subject to the intent of the Louisiana Public Defender Act that district public defender programs shall continue operating within the method of delivery of services in effect prior to April 30, 2007.
(6) Employ personnel or contract for services as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of this Part. The provisions of this Paragraph are subject to the intent of the Louisiana Public Defender Act that district public defender programs shall continue operating within the method of delivery of services in effect prior to April 30, 2007.
(7) Supervise the personnel, operation, and activities of the office.
(8) Prepare and submit to the board an annual report of the indigent defender services provided by the districts.
(9) Appear before the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and report on the activities of the office.
(10) Actively seek gifts, grants, and donations that may be available through the federal government or other sources to help fund the system, provided that such gifts, grants, and donations are not otherwise prohibited by law or rule.
(11) Assist the board in the adoption of rules as provided for in La. Rev. Stat. 15:148 and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(12) Provide services, facilities, and materials necessary for the performance of the duties, functions, and powers of the office.
(13) Assist the board in establishing the standards and guidelines, policies, and procedures for the statewide delivery of indigent defender services in accordance with rules adopted by the office and as required by statute.
(14) Establish administrative management procedures for the office, where applicable.
(15) Review, monitor, and assess the performance of all attorneys, consortia of attorneys, or independent public defender organizations qualified with the United States Internal Revenue Service for an exemption from federal income tax under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide counsel for indigent defendants.
C. The state public defender shall receive annual compensation equal in amount to an associate justice of the supreme court of this state.
Acts 2007, No. 307, §1; Acts 2008, No. 2, §1, eff. May 24, 2008; Acts 2024, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 22, §1, eff. March 20, 2024.
NOTE: Judicial compensation, including the salary of a judge of a court of appeal in this state, is subject to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 13:10.3 and Chapter 1-B of Part IV of Title 13.