Opinion ID: 2395038
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: krs chapter 31

Text: The complexity of the system of representation established by Chapter 31 as a whole is traceable to its parts. The act sets up a scheme whereby the executive duty of providing effective counsel for indigents can be met through various plans. The particular plan under which any single representation comes about dictates the rules and terms that govern its fulfillment.
The most basic breakdown of the numerous schemes involves whether or not a county, through its fiscal court, chooses to become involved by implementing a local plan of representation under KRS 31.160. [4] A county may establish a local office to provide representation, e.g., Fayette County Legal Aid. KRS 31.160(1)(b); KRS 31.170(1). A county fiscal court may choose to provide such services by contracting with one or more attorneys, or a nonprofit organization or association of attorneys, e.g., Washington County Public Defenders Association. KRS 31.160(1)(a). See also, Commonwealth v. Theodore H. Lavit and James H. Abell, 882 S.W.2d 678 (1994). A county may also render services by employing a combination of these alternatives. KRS 31.160(1)(c). Finally, under KRS 31.160(2) and (3), a county may join with one or more counties in its judicial district or elsewhere or with any cities located within said county or counties in providing the representation. When a county fiscal court elects local involvement, the procedures by which the program it chooses shall be administered are set forth in KRS 31.160 through KRS 31.240. With all such plans, the statute affirmatively invests administrative oversight authority in the DPA to review and then approve, deny, or modify the submitted plan. KRS 31.050. This is an important point, for it illustrates the principle expressed in Bradshaw , and reaffirmed in the instant case, that the duty of providing counsel is in executive function relating to the enforcement of criminal laws. See, Ex Parte Farley, Ky., 570 S.W.2d 617, 620 (1978) (The [Department] of Public Advocacy is, in fine, an agency of the executive branch of State government . . .). Finally, once a local plan is approved by DPA, KRS 31.050(2) provides that DPA may allot a sufficient sum . . . for the purpose of assisting the said plan.
Under the Act, DPA is charged with the duty to ensure that services are provided to indigents in all 120 counties of the Commonwealth. KRS 31.030(5) and (6). Consequently, in counties which lack a local plan pursuant to KRS 31.160, DPA takes over at the helm. It provides services according to any one of a number of alternate plans authorized by the statute. It should be noted that in these counties, counsel services are rendered by DPA with no county involvement as far as the appointment of attorneys or compensation for their services is concerned. [5] Various district public advocacy systems may be established to service a county containing less than ten (10) circuit judges or a group of counties . . . KRS 31.065. DPA, like county fiscal courts, is authorized to contract with one or more attorneys or an association of attorneys to represent indigent defendants in a designated area. KRS 31.065(1). Or the department may choose to maintain a branch district public advocacy office to service a particular area, staffed by its own state employees. KRS 31.065(2). The terms of compensation for contract attorneys under KRS 31.065(1) are authorized by KRS 31.070.