<section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-101" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Scope of Title"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board of Trustees” means the Board of Trustees of the Office of the Public Defender established under § 16–301 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“District” means an area conforming to the geographic boundaries of a District Court district established in § 1–602 of the Courts Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Indigent individual” means an individual who qualifies as an indigent individual under § 16–210 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Office” means the Office of the Public Defender.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Office” includes each district office and branch office of the Public Defender.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Panel attorney” means an attorney who is eligible for appointment as an attorney for an indigent individual.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Regional advisory board” means a public defender regional advisory board.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Serious offense” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a felony;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a misdemeanor or offense punishable by confinement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a delinquent act that would be a serious offense if committed by an adult; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an offense in which, in the opinion of the court, the complexity of the matter or the youth, inexperience, or mental capacity of the accused requires representation of the accused by an attorney.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-102" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Scope of Title"> <text>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.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-201" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <text>It is the policy of the State to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>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;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>assure the effective assistance and continuity of counsel to indigent accused individuals taken into custody and indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings before the courts of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>authorize the Office of the Public Defender to administer and ensure enforcement of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-202" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <text>There is an Office of the Public Defender in the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-203" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The head of the Office is the Public Defender.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Public Defender shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>By a vote of at least seven members, the Board of Trustees may remove the Public Defender for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>misconduct in office;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>persistent failure to perform the duties of the Office; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>To qualify for appointment as Public Defender, an individual shall be an attorney admitted to practice law in the State by the Supreme Court of Maryland who has engaged in the practice of law for at least 5 years before appointment.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Public Defender shall receive the same salary as a judge of a circuit court.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Public Defender may not engage in the private practice of law.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Public Defender serves for a term of 6 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>With the approval of the Board of Trustees, the Public Defender shall appoint:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a deputy public defender who is in the executive service of the State Personnel Management System; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>one district public defender for each district of the District Court, each of whom is in the management service of the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The deputy public defender and each district public defender shall have the same qualifications as the Public Defender.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A district public defender shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>assist the Public Defender to perform the duties of the Office; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to the supervision of the Public Defender, be in charge of the public defender offices in the district for which the district public defender is appointed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>With the advice of the district public defenders, the Public Defender may employ assistant public defenders in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To qualify for employment as an assistant public defender, an individual shall be an attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Supreme Court of Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Assistant public defenders are in the professional service of the State Personnel Management System and may be terminated or otherwise disciplined only for cause in accordance with Title 11 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The deputy public defender and district public defenders shall serve at the pleasure of the Public Defender.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The deputy public defender, district public defenders, and assistant public defenders may not engage in the private practice of criminal law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Public Defender shall employ investigators, stenographic assistants, clerical assistants, and other personnel as may be required to assist the Public Defender and the district public defenders to perform the duties of the Office in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsections (b)(1) and (c)(3) of this section, all other positions in the Office are in the executive, management, professional, or skilled service of the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Employees in the professional or skilled service may be terminated or otherwise disciplined only for cause in accordance with Title 11 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Public Defender shall establish and maintain suitable offices in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At least one Public Defender’s office shall be in each district.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The number of positions, compensation, and expenses for the Office shall be in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-204" future_version_removed="true" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <text>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.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Indigent defendants or parties shall be provided representation under this title in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a criminal or juvenile proceeding in which a defendant or party is alleged to have committed a serious offense;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a criminal or juvenile proceeding in which an attorney is constitutionally required to be present prior to presentment being made before a commissioner or judge;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a postconviction proceeding for which the defendant has a right to an attorney under Title 7 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>any other proceeding in which confinement under a judicial commitment of an individual in a public or private institution may result;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a proceeding involving children in need of assistance under § 3–813 of the Courts Article;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a family law proceeding under Title 5, Subtitle 3, Part II or Part III of the Family Law Article, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for a parent, a hearing in connection with guardianship or adoption;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a hearing under § 5–326 of the Family Law Article for which the parent has not waived the right to notice; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an appeal; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>an assisted outpatient treatment proceeding under Title 10, Subtitle 6A of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, representation shall be provided to an indigent individual in all stages of a proceeding listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection, including, in criminal proceedings, custody, interrogation, bail hearing before a District Court or circuit court judge, preliminary hearing, arraignment, trial, and appeal.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Representation is not required to be provided to an indigent individual at an initial appearance before a District Court commissioner.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subsection (b)(1)(vii) of this section may not be construed to prevent a respondent from retaining private counsel at the respondent’s own expense.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-205" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <text>Representation of an indigent individual by the Office or by a panel attorney shall continue until the final disposition of the case or until the assigned attorney is relieved by the Public Defender or order of the court in which the case is pending.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-206" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <text>This title does not prohibit the Office from representing an indigent individual in federal court at federal expense if the matter arises out of or is related to an action pending or recently pending in a court of criminal jurisdiction of the State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Compensation paid by the federal court to the Public Defender, the deputy public defender, a district public defender, or an assistant public defender shall be remitted to the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-207" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <text>The primary duty of the Public Defender is to provide representation for indigent individuals in accordance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Public Defender shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be responsible generally for the operation of the Office and all district offices;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>prepare schedules of professional fees and expenses for panel attorneys and other professional and technical services rendered to indigent individuals other than by the Public Defender’s staff, taking into consideration the nature of the services, the time spent, the skill or experience required, and any other pertinent factor;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>consult and cooperate with professional groups about the causes of criminal conduct and the development of effective means to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>reduce and discourage the commission of crime;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>rehabilitate and correct individuals charged and convicted of crime;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>administer criminal justice; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>administer and conduct the Office; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>maintain financial and statistical records about each case in which the Office provides legal assistance to an indigent individual, including data to calculate all direct and indirect costs to the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Public Defender may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt regulations to carry out the purposes of this title and promote the efficient conduct of the work and general administration of the Office, its professional staff, and other employees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make necessary arrangements to coordinate services of the Office with any federal program to provide an attorney to indigent individuals;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>arrange for the Office to receive money or services available to assist in the duties under this title; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>accept the services of volunteer workers or consultants at no compensation or at nominal or token compensation and reimburse them for their necessary expenses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, in Baltimore City, the Public Defender may contract with private or public organizations to provide legal, administrative, or technical services for indigent individuals.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A contract shall require that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the level and quality of the work at least equal that of the Office; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Public Defender supervise and control all services rendered.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-208" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the authority and supervision of the Public Defender, each district public defender shall maintain a confidential list of private attorneys available to be appointed as attorneys for indigent individuals eligible for representation under this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each attorney on the list shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>admitted to practice law in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>placed on various panels in accordance with qualification criteria that the Public Defender sets forth, based on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the nature and complexity of the offense requiring representation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the trial or appellate experience of the attorney; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other factor necessary to ensure competent representation.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except in cases in which an attorney in the Office provides representation, the district public defender, subject to the supervision of the Public Defender, shall appoint an attorney from an appropriate panel to represent an indigent individual.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Panel attorneys shall be used as much as practicable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The primary duty of a panel attorney is to the indigent individual represented by the panel attorney with the same effect and purpose as though privately engaged by that individual and without regard to the use of public funds to provide the service.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A panel attorney shall report to the Office as the regulations of the Public Defender require.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection does not preclude the designation or assignment of different individuals to perform various parts of the service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A panel attorney shall file a petition to be compensated by the Public Defender for fees and expenses incident to representing indigent individuals, including investigation, other pretrial preparation, trial, and appeal.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office shall authorize payment of fees and expenses according to schedules prepared under § 16–207(b)(2) of this subtitle and from funds appropriated by the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A panel attorney may not receive a fee for services in addition to that provided in accordance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>To be compensated for fees or expenses that the Public Defender disapproves or that exceed those authorized for payment, a panel attorney may seek a review by a regional advisory board.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>All fees and expenses paid to panel attorneys, including any authorized by a regional advisory board, shall be paid out of funds appropriated by the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Office may provide staff and technical assistance to a panel attorney appointed to represent an indigent individual.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-209" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <text>Communications between an indigent individual and an individual in the Office or engaged by the Public Defender are protected by the attorney–client privilege to the same extent as though an attorney had been privately engaged.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section does not preclude the Public Defender from using material in the Public Defender’s files that is otherwise privileged to prepare and disclose statistical, case study, and other sociological data.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Material used to prepare and disclose sociological data may not disclose the identity of a particular indigent individual.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-210" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual may apply for services of the Office as an indigent individual, if the individual states in writing under oath or affirmation that the individual, without undue financial hardship, cannot provide the full payment of an attorney and all other necessary expenses of representation in proceedings listed under § 16–204(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For an individual whose assets and net annual income are less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, eligibility for services of the Office may be determined without an assessment regarding the need of the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>For an individual whose assets and net annual income equal or exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, eligibility for the services of the Office shall be determined by the need of the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Need shall be measured according to the financial ability of the applicant to engage and compensate a competent private attorney and to provide all other necessary expenses of representation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Financial ability shall be determined by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the nature, extent, and liquidity of assets;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the disposable net income of the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the nature of the offense;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the length and complexity of the proceedings;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the effort and skill required to gather pertinent information; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>any other foreseeable expense.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If eligibility cannot be determined before the Office or a panel attorney begins representation, the Office may represent an applicant provisionally.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the Office subsequently determines that an applicant is ineligible:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Office shall inform the applicant; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the applicant shall be required to engage the applicant’s own attorney and reimburse the Office for the cost of the representation provided.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A District Court commissioner shall determine whether an individual qualifies as indigent.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual charged with a crime that carries a penalty of incarceration may apply for representation by the Office to a District Court commissioner during commissioner operating hours.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For the purpose of an initial appearance proceeding or bail review, a District Court commissioner shall make a preliminary determination as to whether an individual qualifies as indigent.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An indigent individual shall be represented by the Office if the initial appearance or bail review is before a judge.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Representation at the initial appearance shall terminate at the conclusion of the proceeding, unless the commissioner has made a final determination that the individual qualifies as indigent and the Office has entered a general appearance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The commissioner shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>make a final determination as to whether an individual is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>indigent and qualified for services of the Office; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>not qualified for services of the Office; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>determine that the individual’s financial status is subject to further verification.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the commissioner makes a final determination under paragraph (4)(i) of this subsection, the commissioner shall notify the individual in writing of the determination.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>An individual whose financial status is subject to further verification may submit to the commissioner additional information to be qualified for services of the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A District Court commissioner shall investigate the financial status of an applicant when the circumstances warrant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A District Court commissioner may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>require an applicant to execute and deliver written requests or authorizations that are necessary under law to provide the commissioner with access to confidential records of public or private sources that are needed to evaluate eligibility; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on request, obtain information without charge from a public record office or other unit of the State, county, or municipal corporation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>A District Court commissioner may submit requests to the Maryland Department of Labor and the Comptroller for information regarding the employment status and income of applicants.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each request shall be accompanied by an authorization for release of information that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in a form acceptable to the agency to which the request is submitted; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>signed by the applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Maryland Department of Labor and the Comptroller shall comply with requests for information made by a District Court commissioner under this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Requests and responsive information may be exchanged by facsimile transmission.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-211" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If it appears that an indigent individual has or reasonably expects to have means to meet some of the expenses for services rendered, the indigent individual shall reimburse the Office:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by a single payment or in installments; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in the amount that the indigent individual can reasonably be expected to pay.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A default or failure by an indigent individual to make a payment may not affect the rendering of services to the indigent individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Central Collection Unit of the Department of Budget and Management, on behalf of the Public Defender and in the name of the State, shall do all things necessary to collect all reimbursement money due to the State for services rendered in accordance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A court exercising criminal jurisdiction shall order a defendant to reimburse the State for services rendered to the defendant by the Public Defender as a term or condition of a sentence, judgment, or probation imposed by the court, unless the court:</text> <level label="i"> <text>affirmatively finds that the defendant cannot make the reimbursement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>waives the term or condition.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court shall establish the amount, time, and method of payment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In all other cases of reimbursement for services rendered, collection shall be made in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A court exercising other than criminal jurisdiction shall order an indigent individual represented by the Public Defender to reimburse the State for the reasonable value of services rendered to the indigent individual in an amount that the indigent individual may reasonably be able to pay.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the indigent individual is a minor, the court shall order the parents, guardian, or custodian of the minor to reimburse the State for the reasonable value of services rendered in an amount that the parents, guardian, or custodian may reasonably be able to pay.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The court shall establish the amount, time, and method of payment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Before ordering reimbursement under subsection (d) of this section, a court shall grant an opportunity to be heard to the indigent individual or the parents, guardian, or custodian of a minor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-212" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <level label="a"> <text>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.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To perfect the lien, the Public Defender shall submit to the court having jurisdiction in the matter an affidavit setting forth the services rendered to the indigent individual and their reasonable value.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The court shall set a hearing date and shall notify the indigent individual of the date and the fact that the Public Defender filed an affidavit to perfect the lien.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The indigent individual may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>appear;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be represented by an attorney;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>present evidence; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>examine witnesses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The indigent individual may contest the affidavit.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the court determines that the Public Defender is not entitled to a lien, the proceeding shall be dismissed.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the court determines that the Public Defender is entitled to a lien, the court shall determine the reasonable value of the services rendered to the indigent individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On adjudication, a lien shall be filed or docketed with the clerk of the circuit court or District Court where the services were performed or where the indigent individual works or resides.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The lien shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>constitute a lien on the indigent individual’s property for 10 years from the date of filing or docketing unless the lien is discharged sooner; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have the force and effect of a judgment at law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The clerks of the circuit courts and the District Court shall provide separate books to record liens under this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The books shall be properly indexed in the name of the debtor.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Public Defender may not be required to pay filing or recording fees.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-213" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Office of the Public Defender"> <text>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 Appellate Court of Maryland if: </text> <level label="1"> <text>there is a conflict in legal representation in a matter involving multiple defendants, and one of the defendants is represented by or through the Office; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Office declines to provide representation to an indigent individual entitled to representation under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-301" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Board of Trustees; Regional Advisory Boards"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Board of Trustees of the Office of the Public Defender.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board of Trustees consists of 13 members.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each member of the Board of Trustees shall be a resident of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>11 members of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall include a representative of each judicial circuit of the State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>All members of the Board of Trustees shall be active attorneys admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>One member shall be appointed by the President of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>One member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Each member appointed to the Board of Trustees shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>have significant experience in criminal defense or other matters relevant to the work of the Board of Trustees; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have demonstrated a strong commitment to quality representation of indigent defendants, including juvenile respondents.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>A member of the Board of Trustees may not be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a current member or employee of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Judicial Branch; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a law enforcement agency in the State; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>a State’s Attorney of a county or municipal corporation of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Attorney General of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the State Prosecutor.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of an appointed member of the Board of Trustees is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board of Trustees on October 1, 2010.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A vacancy occurring on the Board of Trustees during the term of a member shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as provided for appointments in this section.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At the end of a term a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member whose term has expired may be reappointed to the Board of Trustees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board of Trustees annually shall elect a chair from among its members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The chair shall preside over and represent the interests of the Board of Trustees in carrying out this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Seven members of the Board of Trustees are a quorum.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board of Trustees shall hold at least one regular annual meeting at a time and place that the chair designates.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Additional meetings shall be held as necessary and may be called on notice by the chair or at the request of at least two members of the Board of Trustees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>A member of the Board of Trustees:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation for serving on the Board of Trustees; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-302" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Board of Trustees; Regional Advisory Boards"> <text>The Board of Trustees shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>study and observe the operation of the Office;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>coordinate the activities of the regional advisory boards; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>advise the Public Defender on panels of attorneys, fees, and other matters about the operation of the public defender system.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-303" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Board of Trustees; Regional Advisory Boards"> <level label="a"> <text>There are four regional advisory boards of the Office.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each regional advisory board consists of five members appointed by the Governor.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Of the four regional advisory boards:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the first shall advise public defender districts one, eight, and nine, which encompass Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the second shall advise public defender districts two and three, which encompass Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the third shall advise public defender districts four, five, and seven, which encompass Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, Prince George’s County, and St. Mary’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the fourth shall advise public defender districts six, ten, eleven, and twelve, which encompass Allegany County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Garrett County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Washington County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each member of a regional advisory board shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a resident of a district represented by that regional advisory board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>a judge of a circuit court;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a judge of the District Court; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an active attorney admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member of a regional advisory board is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A vacancy occurring on a regional advisory board during the term of a member shall be filled by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Governor shall annually designate a chair of each regional advisory board from among the members of that regional advisory board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The chair shall preside over and represent the interests of that regional advisory board in carrying out this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Three members of a regional advisory board are a quorum.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Each regional advisory board shall hold at least one regular annual meeting at a time and place that the chair designates.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Additional meetings may be called:</text> <level label="i"> <text>on notice by the chair;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on notice by the Public Defender;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>on notice by the district public defender from a district represented by that regional advisory board; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>at the request of at least three members of the regional advisory board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A member of a regional advisory board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation for serving on the regional advisory board; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-304" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Board of Trustees; Regional Advisory Boards"> <text>Each regional advisory board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>study and observe the operation of district public defender offices; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>advise the Public Defender and district public defenders on panels of attorneys, fees, and other matters about the operation of district public defender offices and the public defender system.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-401" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Report; Appropriations; Severability"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before September 30 of each year, the Public Defender shall submit a report to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Board of Trustees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Governor; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The report shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>pertinent data about the operations of the Office, including projected needs, a breakdown of the number and type of cases handled, and relative dispositions; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>recommendations for statutory changes, including changes in the criminal law or Maryland Rules to control crime and improve the criminal justice system.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-402" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Report; Appropriations; Severability"> <text>Funds for carrying out this title shall be as provided in the State budget.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="16-403" title_number="16" title_name="Office of the Public Defender" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Report; Appropriations; Severability"> <level label="a"> <text>The provisions of this title are severable.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The invalidity of a provision of this title does not affect other provisions that can be given effect without the invalid provision.</text> </level> </section>