reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 17-3-80 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-80. Appropriation for expenses of appointed private counsel and public defenders; restrictions and limitations.

 In addition to the appropriation as provided by law, there is appropriated for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1969, the sum of fifty thousand dollars for the establishment of the defense fund which must be administered by the Office of Indigent Defense. This fund must be used to reimburse private-appointed counsel, public defenders, and assistant public defenders for necessary expenses, not to exceed two thousand dollars for each case, actually incurred in the representation of persons pursuant to this chapter, so long as the expenses are approved by the trial judge. No reimbursement may be made for travel expenses except extraordinary travel expenses approved by the trial judge. The total state funds provided by this section may not exceed fifty thousand dollars.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-287; 1969 (56) 374; 1977 Act No. 219 Pt II Section 19; 1987 Act No. 142 Section 1; 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 45G.
SC Code § 17-3-85 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-85. Fiscal year-end disposition of unexpended appropriations for payment of private appointed counsel for counties without public defender corporations.

 At the end of each fiscal year all funds appropriated for counties without public defender corporations which have not been exhausted shall be combined into one fund and any and all claims of private appointed counsel in other counties remaining unpaid by virtue of the exhaustion of appropriated funds in those respective counties shall be paid on a pro rata basis until such fund is exhausted or until all claims are satisfied. After payment of the above, any funds remaining at the end of a fiscal year maintained by the Judicial Department shall revert to the general fund of the State at the end of that fiscal year.  HISTORY: 1982 Act No. 466, Part II Section 43.
SC Code § 17-3-90 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-90. Vouchers for payment for services by private appointed counsel and for reimbursement of expenses; approval and submission for payment.

 Private, appointed counsel shall submit a voucher to the Office of Indigent Defense setting forth all details of the appointment for purposes of remuneration pursuant to Section 17-3-50 and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to Section 17-3-80, and the public defender shall do likewise pursuant to Section 17-3-80. It is the duty of the Office of Indigent Defense to present the voucher to the trial judge for approval and to transmit the same to the Comptroller General for payment to the appropriate party.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-288; 1969 (56) 374; 1977 Act No. 219 Pt II Section 19; 2007 Act No. 108, Section 6, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-100 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-100. Discretionary authority of judge to appoint counsel is not limited; remuneration and reimbursement.

 Nothing herein contained is designed to limit the discretionary authority of a judge to appoint counsel in any case and any such counsel shall be entitled to remuneration and reimbursement as provided in Sections 17-3-50 and 17-3-80 hereof, so long as funds appropriated herein are available therefor.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-289; 1969 (56) 374.
SC Code § 17-3-110 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-110. Power of Supreme Court to establish rules and regulations.

 The Supreme Court of South Carolina is hereby empowered to establish such rules and regulations as are necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-290; 1969 (56) 374.
SC Code § 17-3-320 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-320. Office of Indigent Defense; executive director; appointment; duties.

 (A) There is created the Office of Indigent Defense under the jurisdiction of the commission. The office must be administered by an executive director appointed by the commission. The executive director may hire other administrative, clerical, and legal staff and is authorized to contract with outside consultants on behalf of the office as he considers necessary to provide the services as required pursuant to the provisions of this article.  (B) The executive director shall:  (1) administer and coordinate the operations of the office and all divisions within the office and supervise compliance among the circuit defender offices with rules, procedures, regulations, and standards adopted by the commission;  (2) maintain proper records of all financial transactions related to the operation of the office;  (3) coordinate the services of the office with any federal, county, private, or other programs established to provide assistance to indigent persons entitled to representation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and consult with professional organizations concerning the implementation and improvement of programs for providing indigent services;  (4) prepare and submit annually to the commission a proposed budget for the provision of statewide indigent defense services; and prepare and submit an annual report containing pertinent data on the operations, costs, and needs of the state's indigent defense system and other information as the commission may require;  (5) coordinate in the development and implementation of rules, policies, procedures, regulations, and standards adopted by the commission to carry out the provisions of this chapter and comply with all applicable laws and standards;  (6) maintain proper records of all financial transactions related to the operation of the commission;  (7) apply for and accept on behalf of the commission funds that may become available from any source, including government, nonprofit, or private grants, gifts, or bequests;  (8) provide for the training of attorneys and other staff involved in the legal representation of persons subject to the provisions of this chapter;  (9) attend all commission meetings, except those meetings or portions of the meetings that address the question of appointment or removal of the director;  (10) ensure that the expenditures of the commission are not greater than the amounts budgeted or available from other revenue sources; and  (11) perform other duties as the commission assigns.  HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 45C; 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2, eff July 1, 2005; 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-330 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-330. Duties of Office of Indigent Defense.

 (A) The Office of Indigent Defense shall:  (1) serve as the entity which distributes all funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the defense of indigents, including funds allocated to public defender offices pursuant to the formula, funds for the defense of capital cases, funds for attorney's fees and expenses in non-capital cases, and other funds appropriated for these purposes;  (2) perform those functions provided pursuant to Section 17-3-360;  (3) serve as a resource for the compilation of accurate statistical data covering the indigent defense system in this State;  (4) implement other duties the commission may direct; and  (5) report annually to the General Assembly on the indigent defense system.  (B) On or about June thirtieth of each year, if the Office of Indigent Defense determines, after taking into consideration all outstanding obligations against the fund for payment of attorney fees and expenses in non-capital cases, that unexpended funds remain, these funds shall be rolled over into the fund for payment of attorney's fees and expenses in capital cases; provided, however, this shall occur only in the event the funds in the capital fund have been exhausted at that time. This fund shall at no time exceed three million dollars.  (C) Notwithstanding another provision of law, only attorneys who are licensed to practice in this State and residents of this State may be appointed by the court and compensated with funds appropriated to the Death Penalty Trial Fund in the Office of Indigent Defense.  HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 45C; 1994 Act No. 497, Part I, E23-Section 14; 1995 Act No. 145, Part IB, E23-Section 14; 1996 Act No. 458, Part II, Section 26C; 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2, eff July 1, 2005; 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-350 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-350. Immunity.

 The members of the commission and the Circuit Public Defender Selection Panel and other policy-making or administrative personnel acting in a policy-making or administrative capacity in connection with the commission or the panel are not subject to civil liability resulting from an act or failure to act in the implementation and carrying out of the purposes of this chapter.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2, eff July 1, 2005; 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-360 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-360. Division of Appellate Defense created; administration and staffing; duties and responsibilities.

 (A) There is created within the Office of Indigent Defense, the Division of Appellate Defense. All of the allied, advisory, affiliated, or related entities as well as the employees, funds, property, and all contractual rights and obligations associated with the commission and Office of Appellate Defense formerly provided in Chapter 4, Title 17 are transferred to and incorporated in and must be administered as part of the Office of Indigent Defense.  (B) The division must be administered by a chief attorney. The staff of the division shall consist of additional attorneys and administrative, investigative, secretarial, and clerical employees necessary to discharge the duties of the division. No person may be hired to serve as an attorney who is not licensed to practice law in this State. Attorneys employed by the division shall devote full time to their duties and may not engage in the private practice of law.  (C) The division shall carry out the following duties and responsibilities:  (1) It shall represent a person who the office determines, subject to court review, falls within the guidelines promulgated pursuant to Section 17-3-310(G)(2) who files Notice of Intention to Appeal or desires to appeal a conviction in a trial court, or decision of a proceeding in civil commitment or other voluntary placement in a state, county, or municipal facility. A person desiring representation by the division shall request a determination of his indigency status in writing from the Supreme Court, the court of appeals, the circuit or family court, or the division. A court receiving a request for indigent appellate representation shall forward the request to the office who, within ten days of the receipt of the request for representation, shall notify the person requesting representation and the court in which the appeal will be effected of its decision.  (2) Upon a finding that a person requesting representation qualifies as an indigent and after being appointed as counsel for this person by the court in which the appeal will be effected, the division shall represent this person in his appeal of a conviction in a trial court, or decision of a proceeding in civil commitment or other involuntary placement in a state, county, or municipal facility, provided nothing in this article requires the division to pursue an appeal unless the chief attorney of the division is first satisfied that there is arguable merit to the appeal.  (3) It shall represent indigents, other than at trial or commitment proceedings when appointed by the court.  (4) It shall represent indigents in appeals of convictions in trial courts of this State, or decisions of civil commitment proceedings or other involuntary placement only in courts of this State.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2, eff July 1, 2005; 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-370 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-370. Appointment of counsel by court.

 The provisions of this article shall not restrict a court in which an appeal is to be effected, from appointing counsel for indigent persons when the division is disqualified from representation for reasons of conflict or when the division deems it advisable that it not provide representation for the indigent person.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.  Editor's Note  Prior laws. 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2; 1976 Code Section 17-3-350.
SC Code § 17-3-380 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-380. Funding.

 The commission will be funded by appropriations to the commission in the state General Appropriations Act including federal funds as may be available.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 7, eff June 21, 2007.  Editor's Note  Prior law. 2005 Act No. 103, Section 2; 1976 Code Section 17-3-360.
SC Code § 17-3-530 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-530. Chief county public defenders; responsibilities and duties.

 (A) Each circuit public defender may employ, assign, and supervise one or more chief county public defenders in the counties within the circuit to assist in managing, supervising, and providing indigent defense representation in the circuit.  (B) Each chief county public defender must be responsible for:  (1) managing, supervising, and providing public defender services within the assigned county or counties;  (2) performing other duties as assigned by the circuit public defender, including duties that may be assigned throughout the circuit; and  (3) keeping a record of public defender and associated services and expenses in the assigned county or counties and submitting the records to the circuit public defender as requested.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-540 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-540. Maintenance and staffing of county public defender offices.

 (A) Subject to the provisions of this section, the circuit public defender in each judicial circuit may maintain offices and employ chief county public defenders, assistant public defenders, investigators, and other staff as necessary to provide adequate and meaningful representation of indigent clients within the counties of the judicial circuit. Personnel employed pursuant to the provisions of this section serve at the pleasure of the circuit public defender and have responsibilities as the circuit public defender directs.  (B) These employees are employees of the administering county and entitled to the same fringe benefits as other personnel employed by the administering county. All personnel costs including fringe benefits must be paid by the administering county, but must be reimbursed to the administering county from operational funds provided to the circuit public defender office from county and state appropriated funds.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-550 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-550. Funding.

 No county may appropriate funds for public defender operations in a fiscal year below the amount it funded in the immediate previous fiscal year.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-560 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-560. Administration of funds.

 Each circuit public defender shall expend the funds received from the counties in the circuit, the State, and other sources for the general operations of the circuit defenders office including reimbursement to the administering county for employee compensation and fringe benefits. Each circuit public defender shall enter into an agreement with the appropriate county within the judicial circuit to administer the funds provided pursuant to the provisions of this article and the funds must be directed to the administering county. The administering county shall account for the receipt and disbursement of the funds separately from other funds administered by the county.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-570 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-570. Administration of personnel.

 (A) All public defenders and other personnel employed by a county public defender corporation on a full-time or a part-time basis are considered employees of the circuit public defenders office in the judicial circuit in which they serve. No employee currently employed pursuant to the provisions of this section may be terminated, except for cause for a period of one year from the effective date of employment by the circuit public defender office. No employee salaries and benefits, including accrued leave, may be less than that which the employee is earning as of the effective date of employment by the circuit public defender office.  (B) Each circuit public defender is authorized to employ administrative, clerical, and paraprofessional personnel as may be authorized by the commission based on funds appropriated by the General Assembly or otherwise available provided, however, that each circuit public defender is authorized not less than two positions as provided in this section. In authorizing administrative, clerical, and paraprofessional personnel, the commission shall consider the caseload, present staff, and resources available to each circuit public defender and shall make authorizations as will contribute to the efficiency of individual circuit public defenders in providing effective criminal defense for indigent defendants.  (C) All personnel employed by the circuit public defenders pursuant to this article shall be employees of the administering county and shall be compensated based on the unclassified service schedule of the South Carolina Merit System of Personnel Administration.  (D) Personnel employed by the circuit public defenders pursuant to this article shall have the authority, duties, powers, and responsibilities as are authorized by law or as assigned by the circuit public defender and shall serve at the pleasure of the circuit public defender.  (E) The circuit public defender shall fix the compensation of each state-paid employee appointed pursuant to this article in accordance with the class to which the person is appointed and the appropriate step of the salary schedule. All salary advancements must be based on quality of work, training, and performance. A reduction in salary must be made in accordance with the salary schedule for the position and the policies, rules, or regulations adopted by the commission.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-580 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-580. Public defenders; requirements as to employment.

 (A) A public defender employed full-time by the circuit public defender shall not engage in the private practice of law for profit.  (B) A public defender employed by the circuit public defender must be a member of the South Carolina Bar and must be admitted to practice before all courts of this State.  (C) A public defender shall serve at the pleasure of the circuit public defender and shall have the authority, powers, and duties as assigned by the circuit public defender.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-590 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-590. Office space and equipment.

 The governing body of the county shall provide, in conjunction and cooperation with the other counties in the judicial circuit and in a pro rata share according to the population of each county, appropriate offices, utilities, telephone expenses, materials, and supplies as are necessary to equip, maintain, and furnish the office or offices of the circuit public defender in an orderly and efficient manner.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-3-600 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents|Section 17-3-600. Existing contracts for providing indigent defense services.

 All contracts in force on the date this legislation is effective between private attorneys and county indigent defense corporations for the provision of indigent defense services within a county or counties shall remain in force and be recognized by the commission and circuit public defender offices until their respective expiration dates or one year from the effective date of this act, whichever is earlier.  HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 108, Section 3, eff June 21, 2007.
SC Code § 17-5-5 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 17 - Criminal Procedures|Chapter 5 - Coroners And Medical Examiners|Section 17-5-5. Definitions.

 As used in this chapter:  (1) "Autopsy" means the dissection of a dead body and the removal and examination of bone, tissue, organs, and foreign objects for the purpose of determining the cause of death and manner of death.  (2) "Cause of death" refers to the agent that has directly or indirectly resulted in a death.  (3) "Coroner" means the person elected or serving as the county coroner pursuant to Section 24 of Article V of the South Carolina Constitution, 1895, this chapter, and Chapter 7 of Title 17.  (4) "Medical examiner" means the licensed physician or pathologist designated by the county medical examiner's commission pursuant to Article 5 of this chapter for the purpose of performing post-mortem examinations, autopsies, and examinations of other forms of evidence required by this chapter.  (5) "Deputy coroner" means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17-5-70.  (6) "Deputy medical examiner" means a licensed physician employed by the medical examiner, with the approval of the commission, to perform post-mortem examinations, autopsies, and examinations of other forms of evidence as required by this chapter.  (7) "Inquest" means an official judicial inquiry before a coroner and coroner's jury for the purpose of determining the manner of death.  (8) "Laboratory" means a laboratory containing facilities for the scientific detection and identification of physical evidence connected with crimes and causes of death and other examinations of tissue, chemical substances, and gases that contribute to the health and well-being of all people.  (9) "Manner of death" refers to the means or fatal agency that caused a death. Manner of death is classified in one of the five following categories: A. natural, B. accident, C. homicide, D. suicide, and E. undetermined.  (10) "Peace officer in charge" means members of the county, city, or town policemen, county, city, or town detectives, South Carolina Highway Patrol, or South Carolina Law Enforcement Division who may be in charge of the investigation of any case involving a death covered by this chapter.  (11) "Post-mortem examination" means examination after death and includes an examination of the dead body and surroundings by the medical examiner but does not include dissection of the body for any purpose.  HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 73, Section 1.