NC S596

Reorganizes North Carolina's public defender districts by consolidating and reconfiguring existing defender districts into 30 statewide districts, eliminating previous sub-districts (3A/3B, 15B, 16A/16B, 27A, 29B).

Realigns county assignments among defender districts, including moving counties such as Pender to District 5, adding McDowell to District 29, and reorganizing coastal and piedmont region districts.

Directs the Judicial Department's Office of Indigent Defense Services to use available funds during the 2011-2013 biennium to expand existing public defender offices and establish new offices created by this act.

Authorizes use of appropriated funds for salaries, benefits, equipment, and related expenses for public defender office operations.

Becomes effective January 1, 2012.