Sec. 6. (a) A public defender may use a public defender investigator who is qualified under subsection (b) to assist the public defender in preparing for the criminal defense of indigent persons.
(b) To practice as a public defender investigator, an individual must:
(1) be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; and
(2) not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to competently perform the duties of a public defender investigator.
(c) A public defender investigator may not perform any duties for the public defender that constitute the unauthorized practice of law.