19-6006 DISTRICT PUBLIC DEFENDER.

19-6006. district public defender. (1) In each judicial district described in chapter 8, title 1, Idaho Code, the state public defender shall employ a district public defender. The district public defender must be an employee of the office of the state public defender, meet and maintain the qualifications set forth in section 19-6004(2), Idaho Code, and not engage in any conduct prohibited by section 19-6004(3), Idaho Code, while employed as district public defender. The district public defender may be removed by the state public defender for failing to maintain the qualifications of the position established in this section, for engaging in conduct prohibited by this section, or for good cause shown. The duty station of each district public defender must be within the judicial district that the district public defender oversees.

(2) Under the direction and supervision of the state public defender, each district public defender shall carry out the purposes of this chapter in the judicial district, including supervising the defending attorneys, investigators, administrative staff, and other personnel in that judicial district, whether hired or contracted, coordinating litigation within that judicial district, assuring compliance with the provisions of section 19-6005, Idaho Code, as well as other duties assigned by the state public defender.

(3) The district public defender shall be the principal liaison with the administrative district judge, the trial court administrator, the boards of county commissioners, county clerks, and county prosecutors on administrative matters concerning the provision of public defense in the judicial district. Upon invitation, but not less than annually, the district public defender shall report to each board of county commissioners within the judicial district concerning public defense in the respective county.

History:

[19-6006, added 2023, ch. 220, sec. 1, p. 664; am. 2025, ch. 329, sec. 5, p. 1357.]