The Indiana Public Defender Council is a state agency within the judicial branch created in 1977. The membership of the Council consists of all public defenders, contractual pauper counsel, and attorneys regularly appointed to represent indigent defendants pursuant to a uniform system of periodic appointments or who are qualified and willing to be appointed in a capital case. Approximately 1500 Indiana attorneys are members of the Council, which is governed by an 11-member board of directors. The statutory duties of the Council are to:
- Assist in the coordination of the duties of the attorneys engaged in the defense of indigents at public expense;
- Prepare manuals of procedure;
- Assist in the preparation of trial briefs, forms, and instructions;
- Conduct research and studies of interest or value to all such attorneys; and
- Maintain liaison contact with study commissions, organizations, and agencies of all branches of local, state, and federal government that will benefit criminal defense as part of the fair administration of justice in Indiana.
The Council does not represent clients or provide legal advice to the public.
Representation at trial or on direct appeal is provided by each county at the county's expense. Representation in post-conviction proceedings is provided by the Public Defender of Indiana.