Official Government Website

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about the PDC

When was the PDC created?
Idaho’s Public Defense Commission was created in 2014 by House Bill 542 and codified in Idaho Code § 19-849. Idaho Code § 19-850 directs the commission to engage in a number of activities.

Who are the commissioners serving on the PDC?
The PDC is composed of nine (9) members, who are appointed and serve overlapping, staggered terms of 2 or 3 years. The members can be found here.

What is the Mission of the Public Defense Commission?
The Idaho Public Defense Commission is committed to improving the delivery of trial-level indigent defense services by serving the Counties and Indigent Defense Providers of Idaho. We strive to ensure that the safeguards of the 6th Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Sect. 13 of the State Constitution are met.

What does the Public Defense Commission actually do?
The PDC is responsible for creating rules related to the improvement of the public defense system in Idaho, pursuant to Idaho Code 19-850. The PDC has also been given the authority to create rules regarding the application for, and disbursement of, Indigent Defense Grants, which qualifying counties may use to improve their public defense systems.

General Questions about Public Defense

What is Indigent Criminal Defense?
“Indigent” means “poor, needy, impoverished.” Indigent Criminal Defense is a legal term for defending poor people who are charged with a crime. The PDC is appointed with the task of improving indigent criminal defense.

Tucker V. State of Idaho: ACLU Lawsuit – Spring 2018 Update

 

Other

For FAQ on Defending Attorney Reports, please visit our Defending Attorney Annual Report FAQ located here.

ver: 3.5.2 | last updated: