Iowa Admin. Code r. 493-11.2

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 493-11.2 - Contracts

An attorney may enter into a contract with the state public defender for the provision of legal services to indigent persons.

(1)Eligibility. To be eligible to contract with the state public defender, an attorney must be licensed to practice law in the state of Iowa and must meet the minimum qualification requirements for contracting as set forth in rule 493-11.3 (13B) for the types of cases for which the attorney is contracting.

(2)Contract copy. A copy of an original contract is available from the Office of the State Public Defender, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, Iowa 50321, by telephoning 515.218.2445, or on the web at spd.iowa.gov.

(3)Notice of contract opportunities. The state public defender will give notice to attorneys of the availability of contracts for indigent defense legal services in a manner reasonably calculated to make attorneys aware of the availability of the contracts.

(4)Contract types. Unless the attorney and state public defender agree in writing to a contract covering a different type of case, the contract shall cover one or more of the following categories of case types:

a. Juvenile cases, including juvenile petitions on appeal;

b. Appellate cases, including direct appeals of criminal cases, appeals from postconviction relief proceedings, and any other case for which counsel is statutorily authorized to be paid from the indigent defense fund at the trial level;

c. Postconviction relief cases at the trial level;

d. Class A and B felony cases at the trial level;

e. Class C and D felony cases at the trial level, and Class A felony cases in which another attorney who meets the minimum requirements for such cases is also appointed as the lead counsel;

f. Misdemeanor cases, probation and parole revocation cases, contempt proceedings, and any other adult criminal or civil cases for which counsel is statutorily authorized to be paid from the indigent defense fund at the trial level.

(5)Written approval required. A contract can only be in force and effect when a contract acceptance form is signed by the contracting attorney and approved by the state public defender. The approved contract is only effective for those types of cases and those counties requested by the attorney and approved by the state public defender in writing on the acceptance and approval form, renewal form, or a subsequent written amendment. Nevertheless, a contract covering appellate cases is effective for all 99 counties.

(6)Independent contractor. The contracting attorney shall be an independent contractor and shall not be an agent or employee of the state of Iowa. The attorney shall exercise the attorney's best independent professional judgment on behalf of clients to whom the attorney is assigned.

(7)Notification to clerks. On a monthly basis, the state public defender shall notify the clerks of court in each county of those attorneys who have an approved contract for each type of case in each respective county.

(8)Contract terms. A contract between the state public defender and an attorney shall cover, but is not limited to, the following subjects:

a. The types of cases in which the attorney is to provide services;

b. The counties in which the attorney is to provide services;

c. The term of the contract and the responsibility of the attorney for provision of services in cases undertaken pursuant to the contract;

d. Identification of the attorney who will perform legal representation under the contract;

e. A prohibition against assignment of the obligations undertaken pursuant to the contract and a description of the manner in which temporary substitute counsel may be utilized;

f. The qualifications of the contracting attorney to undertake legal representation pursuant to the contract;

g. A description of the compensation to be paid and the manner of payment;

h. A description of any expenses which may be provided under the contract;

i. A description of the record-keeping and reporting requirements under the contract;

j. A description of the manner in which the contract may be terminated;

k. A description of the manner of disposition of ongoing obligations following termination of the contract.

(9)Compensation. Unless the contract provides for a different rate or manner of payment, the attorney shall be compensated as set forth in rule 493-12.4 (13B,815).

(10)Contract form. Unless the attorney and state public defender agree in writing to vary the terms of the contract between them, the terms contained in the Indigent Defense Legal Services Contract No. 493 -14 shall constitute the agreement between the parties for the provision of legal services.

(11)No guarantee of appointments. An attorney under contract with the state public defender is not guaranteed any minimum number of court appointments. The process by which attorneys under contract with the state public defender are appointed to specific cases is governed by Iowa Code chapters 814 and 815. The state public defender shall retain sole authority to determine the length of each contract or contract renewal.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 493-11.2

Amended by IAB June 25, 2014/Volume XXXVI, Number 26, effective 7/30/2014.

Editorial change: IAC Supplement 8/21/2024