SECTIONS 15400-15404 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 15400-15404

15400. The Governor shall appoint a State Public Defender, subject
to confirmation by the Senate. The State Public Defender shall be a
member of the State Bar, shall have been a member of the State Bar
during the five years preceding appointment, and shall have had
substantial experience in the representation of accused or convicted
persons in criminal or juvenile proceedings during that time.

15401. (a) The State Public Defender shall be appointed for a term
of four years commencing on January 1, 1976, and shall serve until
the appointment and qualification of his successor. Any vacancy shall
be filled for the balance of the unexpired term.
(b) The State Public Defender shall receive the salary provided
for by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11550) of Part 1 of
Division 3 of Title 2.

15402. The State Public Defender may employ deputies and other
employees, and establish and operate offices, as he or she may need
for the proper performance of his or her duties. The State Public
Defender may contract with county public defenders, private
attorneys, and nonprofit corporations organized to furnish legal
services to persons who are not financially able to employ counsel
and pay a reasonable sum for those services pursuant to the
contracts. He or she may provide for participation by those attorneys
and organizations in his or her representation of eligible persons.
The attorneys and organizations shall serve under the supervision and
control of the State Public Defender and shall be compensated for
their services either under those contracts or in the manner provided
in Section 1241 of the Penal Code.
The State Public Defender may also enter into reciprocal or mutual
assistance agreements with the board of supervisors of one or more
counties to provide for exchange of personnel for the purposes set
forth in Section 27707.1.
The office of the State Public Defender may hire 15 additional
staff attorneys and the support staff necessary for proper
implementation of Section 15421.

15403. The State Public Defender shall formulate plans for the
representation of indigents in the Supreme Court and in each
appellate district as provided in this article. Each plan shall be
adopted upon the approval of the court to which the plan is
applicable. Any such plan may be modified or replaced by the State
Public Defender with the approval of the court to which the plan is
applicable.

15404. The State Public Defender may issue any regulations and take
any actions as may be necessary for proper implementation of this
part.