Colorado § 21-1-102 - State public defender - deputies and employees - regional offices.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 21-1-102 — State public defender - deputies and employees - regional offices., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 21-1-102. State public defender - deputies and employees - regional offices.
(1) The state public defender shall have been licensed to practice law in this state for at least five years prior to his appointment, and he shall devote full time to the performance of his duties and shall not engage in the private practice of law.
(2) The compensation of the state public defender shall be fixed by the general assembly and may not be reduced during the term of his appointment.
(3) The state public defender shall employ and fix the compensation of a chief deputy public defender, deputy state public defenders, investigators, and any other employees necessary to discharge the functions of the office. All salaries shall be reviewed and approved by the Colorado supreme court. The chief deputy public defender and deputy public defenders shall serve, on a full-time basis, at the pleasure of the state public defender and shall not otherwise engage in the practice of law.
(4) The state public defender shall establish such regional offices as he deems necessary to carry out his duties under this article.
Source: L. 69: R&RE, p. 255, § 30. C.R.S. 1963: § 39-21-2. L. 79: Entire section R&RE, p. 771, § 2, effective July 1.
ANNOTATION
No conflict of interest in private representation of defendant by public defender. Since employment in a public defender's office is not the type of public employment contemplated in Ethical Consideration 9-3 and Disciplinary Rule 9-101(B) of the code of professional responsibility, no conflict of interest can be perceived in the representation of a defendant by a deputy public defender and the subsequent representation by the same attorney in a private capacity of the defendant in the same case. Coles, Manter & Watson v. Denver Dist. Court, 177 Colo. 210, 493 P.2d 374 (1972).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 21-1-102
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 21-1-102 cover?
Section 21-1-102 ("State public defender - deputies and employees - regional offices.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 21-1-102?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 21-1-102" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 21-1-102 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.