§186.2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Part, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Board" means the Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board.
(2) "Custody" means the legal custody of the office of juvenile justice, which follows
on commitment by a Louisiana court exercising juvenile jurisdiction to the office of juvenile
justice as provided in Titles VII and VIII of the Louisiana Children's Code.
(3) "District office" means the office of a district public defender.
(4) "District public defender", "chief indigent defender", or "chief public defender"
means an attorney employed by or under contract with the board to supervise service
providers and enforce standards and guidelines within a judicial district or multiple judicial
districts.
(5) "Indigent child representation" means the providing of legal services to indigent
children committed to the custody of the office of juvenile justice pursuant to Title VII and
Title VIII of the Louisiana Children's Code.
(6) "Office" means the office of the state public defender as created by R.S. 15:146.
(7) "Office of juvenile justice" means the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections, youth services, office of juvenile justice.
(8) "Public defender" or "indigent defender" means an attorney employed by or under
contract with the office, the district public defender, or a nonprofit organization contracting
with the office or the district public defender to provide representation as required by the
provisions of the Children's Code.
(9) "Safe Return Program" or "the program" means the Safe Return Representation
Program administered pursuant to the Part.
Acts 2016, No. 617, §2; Acts 2024, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 22, §1, eff. March 20, 2024.