Senate Bill 868 Summary

• Amends 22 O.S. 2001, Section 1355.6 to modify the Indigent Defense System's responsibility for defending indigent defendants, limited to those "in custody" rather than all indigents.

• Authorizes courts to appoint legal representation for indigent persons not in custody, with costs paid from the local court fund rather than the state Indigent Defense System budget.

• Maintains the System's existing responsibilities for defending indigent juveniles in delinquency proceedings, adult certification proceedings, and youthful offender proceedings.

• Allows the Executive Director to select private attorneys for case assignments from those meeting qualifications and maintaining professional liability insurance, with payment from the System budget.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2011.