(a) Creation. In each judicial circuit, a voluntary indigent defense advisory board shall be established.
(b) Composition; qualifications, appointment, term of office, and removal of members; vacancies. - The voluntary indigent defense advisory board shall be composed of five members who are residents of the judicial circuit in which they are appointed, including the presiding circuit judge as the chair, the president of the local circuit bar association and three other attorneys all selected by the bar commissioner or commissioners for that circuit. The membership of the voluntary indigent defense advisory board in each judicial circuit shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, and economic diversity of the judicial circuit. In a multi-county circuit, the bar commissioner or commissioners shall select the president of a county bar association existing within the circuit to serve on the indigent defense advisory board. Each member shall serve for a term of one year from the date of appointment and members may be reappointed. Vacancies on the indigent defense advisory board shall be filled by the presiding judge.
(c) Compensation and expenses of members. Members of the voluntary indigent defense advisory board shall serve without compensation; except, that necessary travel expenses in connection with advisory board business shall be paid by the office in the same manner as for state employees generally.
(d) Meetings generally; quorum; chair. The voluntary indigent defense advisory board shall meet at least once quarterly and shall meet whenever so requested by the presiding circuit judge or by two members of the board. Three members shall constitute a quorum for conducting business.
(e) Powers and duties. The voluntary indigent defense advisory board shall perform the following duties and have the following powers:
(1) Analyze, study, and determine the method of indigent defense systems to be used in the circuit. The director may appeal the determination of the indigent defense advisory board to the Indigent Defense Review Panel. The Indigent Defense Review Panel shall make a decision in a timely manner, which decision shall be deemed final.
(2) Provide to the director any information reasonably requested regarding the indigent defense systems used or recommended for the circuit.
(3) At the request of the director, review and provide comment on any statements or bills rendered or submitted for the provision of indigent defense services in the circuit.
Last modified: May 3, 2021