Idaho § 19-6005 - POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

§ 19-6005. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Consistent with the state of Idaho’s obligation to provide indigent public defense pursuant to the sixth amendment to the United States constitution; section 13, article I of the constitution of the state of Idaho; and this chapter, the state public defender shall have the power to:

(1) Ensure that qualified defending attorneys, experts, investigators, mitigation specialists, stenographers, paralegals, or other support staff and assistants are employed or contracted as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, that the same deliver indigent defense services in compliance with applicable indigent defense standards, and that any persons hired or contracted to provide indigent individuals charged with an offense or offenses punishable by a sentence of death be qualified to provide team representation. Provided, however, the terms of any contract with a defending attorney shall not include any pricing structure that charges or pays a single fixed fee for the services of the defending attorney and client-related expenses;

(2) Provide appropriate facilities, including office space, furniture, equipment, books and other legal research tools, postage, supplies, and secure information and communication technology equipment that is reasonably necessary for the proper performance of the state public defender;

(3) Implement procedures for the oversight, implementation, enforcement, and improvement of indigent defense standards so that the right to counsel of indigent persons is constitutionally delivered to all indigent persons in this state;

(4) Collaborate with district public defenders to establish Idaho standards for defending attorneys that, to the extent reasonably practical and considering factors such as case complexity, support services, and travel, utilize the following principles:

(a) The delivery of indigent defense services should be independent of political and judicial influence, though the judiciary is encouraged to contribute information and advice concerning the delivery of indigent defense services;

(b) Defending attorneys should have sufficient time and private physical space so that attorney-client confidentiality is safeguarded during meetings with clients;

(c) Defending attorneys’ workloads should permit effective representation;

(d) Economic disincentives or incentives that impair defending attorneys’ ability to provide effective representation should be avoided;

(e) Defending attorneys’ abilities, training, and experience should match the nature and complexity of the cases in which they provide services, including but not limited to cases involving complex felonies, juveniles, and child protection;

(f) The defending attorney assigned to a particular case should, to the extent reasonably practicable, continuously oversee the representation of that case and appear at every substantive court hearing;

(g) There should be reasonable parity between defending attorneys and prosecuting attorneys with respect to resources, staff, and facilities;

(h) Defending attorneys shall be regularly reviewed and supervised for compliance with indigent defense standards and, if applicable, compliance with indigent defense standards as set forth in contractual provisions; and

(i) Defending attorneys shall identify and resolve conflicts of interest in conformance with the Idaho rules of professional conduct and other applicable constitutional standards;

(5) Collaborate with district public defenders to establish and implement Idaho-based workload standards for defending attorneys taking into consideration the following factors:

(a) The education, training, abilities, and experience of the defending attorney;

(b) The number of cases assigned to the defending attorney; and

(c) Case complexity;

(6) Provide training and continuing legal education approved by the Idaho state bar for defending attorneys and employees that promotes competency and consistency in case types defended by the state public defender;

(7) Require defending attorneys, contractors, and employees to keep appropriate records, consistent with uniform data-reporting requirements, respecting each person to whom the state public defender is responsible for providing defense, including but not limited to caseload, workload, and expenditures;

(8) Establish contracts both for contract defending attorneys, where utilized throughout the state or when caseload volumes require their use, and for conflict defending attorneys, when carrying out the purposes of this chapter. Contract pay rates shall be informed by the prevailing statewide market rate, local market conditions, and case complexity;

(9) Establish a uniform system for contracting with qualified attorneys to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including a system for application, payment for services, and reimbursement;

(10) Collaborate with district public defenders on the policies of the office and in the formation of a budget request sufficient to meet the state’s constitutional obligation to provide indigent services, which the state public defender shall submit to the division of financial management as required by law; and

(11) Seek reimbursement from any applicable federal funds at the department of health and welfare for any allowable costs of representation or administrative costs for any representation authorized by this chapter, whether provided by employees of the office of the state public defender or by contract.

[19-6005, added 2023, ch. 220, sec. 1, p. 663; am. 2024, ch. 270, sec. 3, p. 938; am. 2025, ch. 211, sec. 12, p. 978; am. 2025, ch. 329, sec. 4, p. 1356.]