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Public Defender (Amendment) Act 2013

NITIJELA OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

34^th CONSTITUTIONAL REGULAR SESSION, 2013

BILL NO.: 46

P.L. 2013-25

PUBLIC DEFENDER (AMENDMENT) ACT 2013

AN ACT

To amend the Marshall Islands Public Defender Act 1979, 5 MIRC Chapter 3, to provide that it is the responsibility of Department of the Public Defender to provide legal defense for persons who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE NITIJELA OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS:

Section 1. Short Title.

This Act may be cited as the Public Defender (Amendment) Act 2013.

Section 2. Amendment.

(1) Section 303 of the Marshall Islands Public Defender Act 1979, 5 MIRC Chapter 3, is amended to read as follows:

§303. Duties and responsibilities of the Department.

(1) The primary duty and responsibility of the Department of the Public Defender shall be to provide, upon request, legal defense assistance and representation in criminal proceedings to all persons in the Republic who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

(2) The secondary duty and responsibility of the Public Defender shall be to provide, upon request, legal defense assistance and representation in civil actions to all persons in the Republic who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

(2) Section 307 of the Marshall Islands Public Defender Act 1979, 5 MIRC Chapter 3, is amended to read as follows:

§307. Legal Assistance Regulations.

The Chief Public Defender, with the approval of the Cabinet, may by regulation promulgate a "needs test" to determine if for purposes of Section 303 a person cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

Section 3. Effective Date.

This Act shall take effect on the date of certification in accordance with Article IV, Section 21 of the Constitution.

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