As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1. 1. Assigned counsel "Assigned counsel" means a private attorney designated by the commission to provide indigent legal services at public expense.

   [PL 2009, c. 419, §2 (NEW).]

2. 1-A. Appellate counsel "Appellate counsel" means an attorney who is entitled to payment under Title 15, section 2115‑A, subsection 8 or 9.

   [PL 2013, c. 159, §10 (NEW).]

3. 2. Commission "Commission" means the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services under section 1801.

   [PL 2023, c. 558, §4 (AMD).]

4. 3. Contract counsel "Contract counsel" means a private attorney under contract with the commission to provide indigent legal services.

   [PL 2009, c. 419, §2 (NEW).]

5. 3-A. Employed counsel "Employed counsel" means an attorney employed by the commission to provide indigent legal services in civil proceedings.

   [PL 2025, c. 415, §1 (AMD).]

6. 4. Indigent legal services "Indigent legal services" means legal representation provided to: "Indigent legal services" does not include the services of a guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to Title 22, section 4005, subsection 1.

   1. A. An indigent defendant in a criminal case in which the United States Constitution or the Constitution of Maine or federal or state law requires that the State provide representation;

      [PL 2009, c. 419, §2 (NEW).]

   2. B. An indigent party in a civil case in which the United States Constitution or the Constitution of Maine or federal or state law requires that the State provide representation;

      [PL 2019, c. 427, §1 (AMD).]

   3. C. Juvenile defendants; and

      [PL 2019, c. 427, §1 (AMD).]

   4. D. An indigent defendant or party or a juvenile for the purpose of filing, on behalf of that indigent defendant or party or juvenile, a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States from an adverse decision of the Law Court on a case for which services were previously provided to that defendant or party or juvenile pursuant to paragraph A, B or C.

      [PL 2019, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]

   "Indigent legal services" does not include the services of a guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to Title 22, section 4005, subsection 1.

   [PL 2021, c. 676, Pt. A, §3 (AMD).]

7. 5. Public defender "Public defender" means an attorney employed by the commission to provide indigent legal services in criminal and juvenile proceedings.

   [PL 2025, c. 415, §2 (AMD).]

PL 2009, c. 419, §2 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 159, §10 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 427, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 676, Pt. A, §3 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 558, §4 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 638, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 415, §§1, 2 (AMD).