Section 16-101 – Definitions
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Board of Trustees” means the Board of Trustees of the Office of the Public Defender established under § 16–301 of this title. (c) “District” means an area conforming to the geographic boundaries of a District Court district established in § 1–602 of the Courts Article. (d) “Indigent […]
Section 16-302 – Duties of Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall: (1) study and observe the operation of the Office; (2) coordinate the activities of the regional advisory boards; and (3) advise the Public Defender on panels of attorneys, fees, and other matters about the operation of the public defender system.
Section 16-102 – Scope of Title
Except as otherwise provided in § 16–206 of this title, this title applies only to representation in or with respect to the courts of the State.
Section 16-201 – Policy of State
It is the policy of the State to: (1) provide for the realization of the constitutional guarantees of counsel in the representation of indigent individuals, including related necessary services and facilities, in criminal and juvenile proceedings in the State; (2) assure the effective assistance and continuity of counsel to indigent accused individuals taken into custody and indigent […]
Section 16-202 – Office of the Public Defender Established
There is an Office of the Public Defender in the Executive Branch of State government.
Section 16-203 – Office Personnel
(a) (1) The head of the Office is the Public Defender. (2) The Public Defender shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees. (3) By a vote of at least seven members, the Board of Trustees may remove the Public Defender for: (i) misconduct in office; (ii) persistent failure to perform the duties of the Office; or (iii) conduct prejudicial to the […]
Section 16-204 – Representation of Indigent Individual
(a) Representation of an indigent individual may be provided in accordance with this title by the Public Defender or, subject to the supervision of the Public Defender, by the deputy public defender, district public defenders, assistant public defenders, or panel attorneys. (b) (1) Indigent defendants or parties shall be provided representation under this title in: (i) a criminal or […]
Section 16-205 – Termination of Representation
Representation of an indigent individual by the Office or by a panel attorney shall continue until the final disposition of the case or until the assigned attorney is relieved by the Public Defender or order of the court in which the case is pending.
Section 16-206 – Representation in Federal Court
(a) This title does not prohibit the Office from representing an indigent individual in federal court at federal expense if the matter arises out of or is related to an action pending or recently pending in a court of criminal jurisdiction of the State. (b) Compensation paid by the federal court to the Public Defender, the deputy […]
Section 16-207 – Duties and Powers of Public Defender
(a) The primary duty of the Public Defender is to provide representation for indigent individuals in accordance with this title. (b) The Public Defender shall: (1) be responsible generally for the operation of the Office and all district offices; (2) prepare schedules of professional fees and expenses for panel attorneys and other professional and technical services rendered to indigent […]