Iowa
The state of Iowa administers all indigent defense services in adult criminal trials. The state funds almost all services, except that local governments must reimburse some costs. A state agency administers services. The state has no commission providing oversight of the agency.
The state of Iowa administers all indigent defense services for adult criminal cases in its appellate courts. The state funds almost all services, except for some local government reimbursements. A state agency administers services. The state has no commission providing oversight of the agency.
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99 Counties Primarily State Funded
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99 Counties State Administered
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99 Counties with No Commission, But Statewide Authority
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99 Counties Primarily State Funded
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99 Counties State Administered
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99 Counties with No Commission, But Statewide Authority
The Iowa Office of the State Public Defender is responsible for providing indigent defense services in adult criminal trials across the state. The agency provides most services through public defender offices. In counties not covered by an office and in conflict cases, the agency contracts with private attorneys for an hourly rate and nonprofit organizations for a flat fee. If the state cannot provide an attorney, courts may appoint counsel outside of the state system. The state agency also provides services in juvenile, appellate, and post-conviction matters.
The governor appoints the state public defender to lead the agency. The agency oversees all indigent defense services, except in those cases where the trial court individually appoints counsel. The state of Iowa funds almost all costs related to indigent defense, with one exception—municipal governments must reimburse the state for the cost of providing services in municipal prosecutions.
The Iowa Office of the State Public Defender is responsible for providing indigent defense services in adult appeals across the state. The agency provides most services through its appellate division. In cases of conflict, the agency can transfer the case to a trial office or rely on a private attorney or nonprofit organization under contract with the agency. If the state cannot provide an attorney, courts may appoint counsel outside of the state system. The state agency also provides services in adult trial, juvenile and post-conviction matters.
The governor appoints the state public defender to lead the agency. The state public defender appoints a state appellate defender to lead the appellate division. The agency oversees all indigent defense services, except in those cases where a court individually appoints counsel. The state of Iowa funds almost all costs related to indigent defense, with one exception—municipal governments must reimburse the state for the cost of providing services in municipal prosecutions.
Dig Deeper
How is the state public defender selected?
In which branch of government does the indigent defense system reside?
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Criminal justice issues that disproportionately harm poor people, such as wrongful convictions and over-incarceration, cannot be fixed if indigent defendants are given attorneys who do not have the time, resources, or qualifications, to be a constitutional check on government. Yet, investment in improving indigent defense services remains largely neglected. The Sixth Amendment Center is the only nonprofit organization in the country that exclusively examines, uncovers, and helps fix the root of the indigent defense crisis in which inequality is perpetuated because poor defendants do not get a fair fight.
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