<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<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>
