CHAPTER 630

An Act to umend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 4 of Title
54 an article numbered 2.1, containing a section numbered 54-52.8,
to authorize certain judges having criminal jurisdiction to facilitate
the defense, under certain conditions, of persons charged with certatn

crimes.
(S 69]
Approved April 6, 1966

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding an article numbered

2.1 in Chapter 4 of Title 54 of the Code of Virginia containing a section
numbered 54-52.3, as follows:
ARTICLE 2.1
Defense of Certain Indigent Persons

§ 54-52.3. (a) There may be established in any corporation or cir-
cuit court having criminal jurisdiction in this State, the office of Circuit
Director of Attorneys appointed, under §§ 19.1-241.1 through 19.1-241.6,
to defend indigent persons charged with certain crimes. Such Director
shall be an attorney at law and shall be appointed by the judge of such
court, or if there be more than one judge, by the senior judge thereof for
a period of three years, shall receive a per diem of twenty-five dollars for
each day spent in the discharge of his duties but not more than six hundred
dollars in any one year, and be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the
discharge of his duties. The per diem and expenses of such office shall be
paid out of the State Criminal Fund.

b) Such Director shall:

Provide each court of record and not of record, having jurisdiction in
criminal cases, with a list of names and addresses of attorneys in his juris-
diction competent and willing to be appointed to defend indigent persons;

Confer with the judges of such courts in his jurisdiction concerning
the appointment of counsel to defend indigent persons and the equitable
apportionment of assignments among counsel appointed to defend indigent
persons charged with criminal offenses ; and

Perform such related duties as the judge may direct.

(c) Each Director shall make an annual report to the court by which
he is appointed and shall maintain such records as the court may direct.