This law establishes the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission and outlines its authority to set public defender compensation. It also allows counties and cities to supplement these salaries with additional funds, provided certain conditions are met. The law ensures that supplemental funds are used appropriately without interfering with attorney-client privileges.
Yes, counties and cities in Virginia can provide additional compensation to public defenders and their staff above the amount fixed by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission.
Yes, counties cannot impose conditions or requirements on the receipt of supplemental funds, respecting attorney-client privileges and statutory scope of representation.
The executive director of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, with approval from the Commission, sets the salaries of public defenders and their staff.
Funds can be paid directly to the Indigent Defense Commission or to the employees, with notice to the Commission, which then distributes the funds accordingly.