Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford)
State Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, recently was reappointed to the Indiana Public Defender Commission by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville.
The commission, created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1989, consists of 11 members — including four members from the General Assembly — and meets quarterly to authorize reimbursements to counties and discuss issues related to indigent criminal defense. It administers annual appropriations of $34 million to counties for public defender services.
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; and 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 eligibility for legal representation and 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 Indiana Supreme Court on the operation of the public defense fund.
