California · Government Code

GOV §15422: Where a county public defender has refused, or is otherwise reasonably unable, to represent a person because of conflict of interest or other reason, the State Public Defender is authorized to represe

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute authorizes the State Public Defender to represent indigent defendants when county public defenders cannot due to conflicts of interest, covering all stages of proceedings in superior court cases.

Read the full statutory text

Where a county public defender has refused, or is otherwise reasonably unable, to represent a person because of conflict of interest or other reason, the State Public Defender is authorized to represent that person, pursuant to a contract with the county which provides for reimbursement of costs, where the person is not financially able to employ counsel and is charged with the commission of any contempt or offense triable in the superior court at all stages of any proceedings relating to that charge, including restrictions on liberty resulting from that charge. The State Public Defender may decline to represent the person by filing a letter with the appropriate court citing Section 15420.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.