Section 15-12-42

Powers and duties generally.

The public defender shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) Within his geographic jurisdiction, the public defender shall provide defense services to indigent defendants charged with misdemeanors and felonies and referred to him by the court.

(2) The public defender shall, at the request and with the consent of a municipal governing body and the indigent defense commission, represent indigent defendants in a municipal court within his geographic jurisdiction.

(3) The public defender may, with consent of the indigent defense commission, represent an indigent defendant in a state appellate court.

(4) The public defender may, if empowered by the presiding circuit judge and the indigent defense commission, administer the system of appointing private counsel for indigent defendants within his geographic jurisdiction.

(Acts 1975, No. 1205, §9-106.)