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Utah Code § 78B-22-452

Duties of the office

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 291, 2026 General Session; Amended by Chapter 217, 2025 General Session; End date 7/1/2026

(1) The office shall:

(a) establish an annual budget for the office for the Indigent Defense Resources Restricted Account created in Section 78B-22-405;

(b) assist the commission in performing the commission's statutory duties described in this chapter;

(c) identify and collect data that is necessary for the commission to:

(i) aid, oversee, and review compliance by indigent defense systems with the commission's core principles for the effective representation of indigent individuals; and

(ii) provide reports regarding the operation of the commission and the provision of indigent defense services by indigent defense systems in the state;

(d) assist indigent defense systems by reviewing contracts and other agreements, to ensure compliance with the commission's core principles for effective representation of indigent individuals;

(e) establish procedures for the receipt and acceptance of complaints regarding the provision of indigent defense services in the state;

(f) establish procedures to award grants to indigent defense systems under Section 78B-22-406 that are consistent with the commission's core principles;

(g) create and enter into contracts consistent with Section 78B-22-454 to provide indigent defense services for an indigent defense inmate who:

(i) is incarcerated in a state prison located in an eligible county;

(ii) is charged with having committed a crime within that state prison; and

(iii) has been appointed counsel in accordance with Section 78B-22-203;

(h) assist the commission in developing and reviewing advisory caseload guidelines and procedures;

(i) investigate, audit, and review the provision of indigent defense services to ensure compliance with the commission's core principles for the effective representation of indigent individuals;

(j) administer the Child Welfare Parental Representation Program in accordance with Part 8, Child Welfare Parental Representation Program;

(k) administer the Indigent Aggravated Murder Defense Fund in accordance with Part 7, Indigent Aggravated Murder Defense Fund;

(l) assign an indigent defense service provider to represent an individual prosecuted for aggravated murder in accordance with Part 7, Indigent Aggravated Murder Defense Fund;

(m) provide access for a minor to receive legal advice, at no cost, in connection with considering a nonjudicial adjustment;

(n) annually report to the governor, Legislature, Judiciary Interim Committee, and Judicial Council, regarding:

(i) the operations of the commission;

(ii) the operations of the indigent defense systems in the state; and

(iii) compliance with the commission's core principles by indigent defense systems receiving grants from the commission;

(o) submit recommendations to the commission for improving indigent defense services in the state;

(p) publish an annual report on the commission's website; and

(q) perform all other duties assigned by the commission related to indigent defense services.

(2) The office may:

(a) enter into contracts and accept, allocate, and administer funds and grants from any public or private person to accomplish the duties of the office; and

(b) employ or contract with an attorney to provide counsel, at no cost, to any minor considering a nonjudicial adjustment.

(3) Any contract entered into under this part shall require that indigent defense services are provided in a manner consistent with the commission's core principles implemented under Section 78B-22-404.

Official source: Utah State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Utah statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.