Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 2.60 Public Defender

The office of public defender is created.

(Prior code § 23100)

The public defender shall be appointed by and hold office at the pleasure of the board of supervisors.

(Prior code § 231001)

The public defender shall perform the duties of public defender as required or permitted by law. The officer shall be responsible for the assignment, supervision and coordination of work activities of regular employees and of independent contractors employed to provide legal services. The public defender shall maintain workload statistics, prepare reports thereon, and provide others administrative and supervisory services necessary to the efficient operation of the public defender's office.

(Prior code § 23102)

The board of supervisors may from time to time employ attorneys by independent contract to provide legal services as required by the office of public defender.

(Prior code § 23102.5)

The public defender shall be required to devote his or her entire time to the duties of his or her office. All fees or moneys collected shall be the property of the county of Imperial and shall be paid into the county treasury.

(Prior code § 23103)

The board of supervisors shall fix the compensation of the public defender. The officer shall be compensated in the same manner as other county officers and department heads and shall be entitled to the same employment benefits, including membership in the Imperial County employees' retirement system.

(Prior code § 23104)

A. Pursuant to Penal Code Section 987.5, the county of Imperial establishes that every defendant shall be assessed a registration fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) when represented by appointed counsel. Notwithstanding this subdivision, no fee shall be required of any defendant financially unable to pay the fee or a portion thereof.

B. Pursuant to Penal Code Section 987.5, the following registration fee collection, distribution and accounting procedures shall be established. Prior to the assessment of the fee established under subsection A of this section, the public defender and/or his or her designated representative shall have each party registering for the services of a public defender complete a financial statement form which shall take into consideration those items enumerated under Penal Code Section 1203.lb(e). Upon reviewing the subject form the public defender and/or his or her designated representative shall determine whether the defendant is financially able to pay the fifty dollar ($50.00) registration fee or a portion thereof. If a fee is collected by the public defender and/or his or her designated representative, it shall be deposited in the general fund daily with the county treasurer. Records thereof shall be kept in accordance with county established accounting procedures.

(Prior code § 23105)

(Ord. No. 1530, § 1, 11-20-18)