Sec. 9. The board may establish an assigned counsel system of panel attorneys to provide legal representation under this chapter that shall operate as follows:

(1) The board shall gather and maintain a list of attorneys qualified to represent indigent defendants.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 33-40-7-9

  • Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • board: refers to a board established in an ordinance under section 3 of this chapter. See Indiana Code 33-40-7-2
(2) Upon the determination by a court that a person is indigent and entitled to legal representation at public expense, the court shall appoint an attorney to provide the representation from the list maintained by the board.

(3) An attorney appointed to provide representation under this section may request authorization from the judge hearing the case for expenditures for investigative services, expert witnesses, or other services necessary to provide adequate legal representation.

(4) An attorney appointed to provide representation under this section is entitled to receive compensation and reimbursement for budgeted expenses by submitting a voucher to the court. Upon approval of the voucher by the appropriate judge, the voucher shall be presented to the county auditor who shall process the claim as other claims against county funds are processed.

(5) An attorney appointed to provide representation under this section shall, upon completion of representation, report to the board information regarding the case disposition.

[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-9-15-9.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.19.