53.1-40 - Appointment of counsel for indigent prisoners. - Virginia Statutes

§ 53.1-40. Appointment of counsel for indigent prisoners.

The judge of a circuit court in whose county or city a state correctionalfacility is located shall, on motion of the attorney for the Commonwealth forsuch county or city, when he is requested so to do by the superintendent orwarden of a state correctional facility, appoint, for a period of no lessthan thirty days nor more than one year, one or more discreet and competentattorneys-at-law to counsel and assist indigent prisoners therein confinedregarding any legal matter relating to their incarceration.

An attorney so appointed shall be paid as directed by the court from thecriminal fund reasonable compensation on an hourly basis and necessaryexpenses based upon monthly reports to be furnished the court by him.

(Code 1950, § 53-21.2; 1972, c. 773; 1979, c. 700; 1982, c. 636; 1997, c.207.)