Arkansas Code Title 16. Practice, Procedure, and Courts § 16-87-301. Transition to state funding

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly in the transition to a state-funded public defender system to provide an appropriate and adequate level of legal representation to indigent persons in all areas of the state. It is recognized by the General Assembly that in many areas of the state, resources have not been available to support a public defender system at the necessary level. It is also recognized, however, that in other areas, a system has been developed which is appropriately and successfully serving indigent persons and the justice system. With the transition from local funding of the system to state funding of the system, it is not the intent of the General Assembly to adversely affect those systems which are working well or to put in place a system which is too inflexible to respond to local needs or restrictions.

(b) In its administration of the system, therefore, the Arkansas Public Defender Commission is charged with the authority and responsibility to establish and maintain a system of public defenders which equitably serves all areas of the state, provides quality representation, makes prudent use of state resources, and works with others in the justice system at the state and local level to provide an appropriate level of legal services to indigent persons in our state.