2010 Georgia Code
TITLE 17 - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 12 - LEGAL DEFENSE FOR INDIGENTS
ARTICLE 1 - GEORGIA PUBLIC DEFENDER STANDARDS COUNCIL
§ 17-12-7 - Council members; responsibilities; voting; removal; quorum; meetings; officers; expenses

O.C.G.A. 17-12-7 (2010)
17-12-7. Council members; responsibilities; voting; removal; quorum; meetings; officers; expenses


(a) All members of the council shall at all times act in the best interest of indigent defendants who are receiving legal representation under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) All members of the council shall be entitled to vote on any matter coming before the council unless otherwise provided by law or by rules adopted by the council concerning conflicts of interest.

(c) Each member of the council shall serve until a successor has been appointed. Removal of council members shall be for cause and shall be in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the council.

(d) Unless otherwise provided in this article, a quorum shall be a majority of the members of the council who are then in office, and decisions of the council shall be by majority vote of the members present, except that a majority of the entire council must approve the appointment or removal of the chairperson or removal of a circuit public defender for cause pursuant to Code Section 17-12-20 and an alternative delivery system pursuant to Code Section 17-12-36 and other matters as set forth in Code Section 17-12-36.

(e) The council shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times and places as it deems necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties.

(f) The council shall elect a chairperson and such officers from the members of the council as it deems necessary and shall adopt such rules for the transaction of its business as it desires. The chairperson and officers shall serve for a term of two years and may be removed without cause by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the entire council and for cause by a majority vote of the entire council. The chairperson shall retain a vote on all matters except those in which the chairperson has a conflict of interest or the removal of the chairperson for cause. The council shall keep and maintain minutes of all council meetings.

(g) The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council. Any expenses incurred by the council shall be paid from the general operating budget of the council.