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