State Sen. Eric Koch To Serve On Indiana Public Defender Commission

Last updated on Monday, August 7, 2017

(STATEHOUSE) - State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) to serve on the Indiana Public Defender Commission.

The Commission recommends state standards for indigent defense in capital and non-capital cases, adopts salary guidelines and fee schedules for individual county reimbursement eligibility, and reviews and approves requests for reimbursement in capital cases from counties.

The Commission consists of 11 members, including four members from the Indiana General Assembly, and meets quarterly to authorize reimbursements and discuss issues related to providing high-quality indigent criminal defense.

The Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the Indiana Supreme Court concerning standards for indigent defense services provided for defendants against whom the state has sought the death sentence, including:

Determining indigency and eligibility for legal representation.
Selection and qualifications of attorneys to represent indigent defendants at public expense.
Determining conflicts of interest.
Investigative, clerical, and other support services necessary to provide adequate legal representation.
Adopting guidelines and standards for indigent defense services under which counties are eligible for reimbursement, including:
Determining indigency and the eligibility for legal representation.
The issuance and enforcement of orders requiring defendants to pay for the costs of court appointed legal representation.
The use and expenditure of funds in the county supplemental public defender services fund.
Qualifications of attorneys to represent indigent defendants at public expense.
Minimum and maximum caseloads of public defender offices and contract attorneys.
Making recommendations concerning the delivery of indigent defense services in Indiana.
Making an annual report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Supreme Court on the operation of the public defense fund.

More information about Indiana Public Defender Commission can be found at in.gov/publicdefender/

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

Click here to go back to previous page