40-30-202 - Legislative intent. - Tennessee Statutes

40-30-202. Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the general assembly to create the post-conviction defender commission and the office of post-conviction defender to provide for the representation of any person convicted and sentenced to death in this state who is unable to secure counsel due to indigence, and that legal proceedings to challenge that conviction and sentence may be commenced in a timely manner and so as to assure the people of this state that the judgments of its courts may be regarded with the finality to which they are entitled in the interests of justice. It is the further intent that the operation of the post-conviction defender commission and office of post-conviction defender shall be consistent with professional standards and shall not compromise independent professional judgment or create a professional or institutional conflict of interest, appearance of impropriety, breach of attorney-client confidence or secret or other violation of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct or the Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct.

[Acts 1995, ch. 510, § 1; T.C.A. § 40-30-302; Acts 2003, ch. 112, § 2.]