Bill Summary: HB2175

• Amends the Indigent Defense Act to define "unable to employ counsel" as inability to obtain legal representation by private counsel, regardless of indigency status, excluding cases where defendant has private counsel.

• Modifies the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System's responsibility to specifically defend indigents "in custody" in capital, felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases punishable by incarceration.

• Authorizes courts to appoint legal representation for indigent defendants not in custody, with costs paid from local court funds rather than the state system.

• Expands the System's role to defend indigent juveniles in delinquency proceedings, certification proceedings, and youthful offender proceedings under the Oklahoma Juvenile Code.

• Allows the Executive Director to contract with private attorneys who meet qualifications and carry professional liability insurance to handle indigent criminal cases using System funds.