Utah Code § 78B-22-452 — Utah Code / Title 78B / Chapter 78B-22 / § 78B-22-452
§ 78B-22-452. Duties of the office.
Status: in_force

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.