Chapter 1. General Provisions of California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 7. >> Chapter 1.

The Governor shall appoint a State Public Defender, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The State Public Defender shall be a member of the State Bar, shall have been a member of the State Bar during the five years preceding appointment, and shall have had substantial experience in the representation of accused or convicted persons in criminal or juvenile proceedings during that time.

(a) The State Public Defender shall be appointed for a term of four years commencing on January 1, 1976, and shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor. Any vacancy shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term.
  (b) The State Public Defender shall receive the salary provided for by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11550) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2.

The State Public Defender may employ deputies and other employees, and establish and operate offices, as he or she may need for the proper performance of his or her duties. The State Public Defender may contract with county public defenders, private attorneys, and nonprofit corporations organized to furnish legal services to persons who are not financially able to employ counsel and pay a reasonable sum for those services pursuant to the contracts. He or she may provide for participation by those attorneys and organizations in his or her representation of eligible persons. The attorneys and organizations shall serve under the supervision and control of the State Public Defender and shall be compensated for their services either under those contracts or in the manner provided in Section 1241 of the Penal Code. The State Public Defender may also enter into reciprocal or mutual assistance agreements with the board of supervisors of one or more counties to provide for exchange of personnel for the purposes set forth in Section 27707.1. The office of the State Public Defender may hire 15 additional staff attorneys and the support staff necessary for proper implementation of Section 15421.

The State Public Defender shall formulate plans for the representation of indigents in the Supreme Court and in each appellate district as provided in this article. Each plan shall be adopted upon the approval of the court to which the plan is applicable. Any such plan may be modified or replaced by the State Public Defender with the approval of the court to which the plan is applicable.

The State Public Defender may issue any regulations and take any actions as may be necessary for proper implementation of this part.