Section 16-212 – Liens
(a) The reasonable value of the services rendered to an indigent individual in accordance with this title is a lien on real or personal property in which the indigent individual has or acquires an interest, except for the residence of the indigent individual. (b) To perfect the lien, the Public Defender shall submit to the court having […]
Section 16-213 – Effect of Subtitle
This subtitle does not prohibit the appointment of an attorney, other than through the Office, to represent an indigent individual by the District Court, a circuit court, or the Court of Special Appeals if: (1) there is a conflict in legal representation in a matter involving multiple defendants, and one of the defendants is represented by […]
Section 16-301 – Board of Trustees
(a) There is a Board of Trustees of the Office of the Public Defender. (b) The Board of Trustees consists of 13 members. (c) (1) Each member of the Board of Trustees shall be a resident of the State. (2) 11 members of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the […]
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 […]