Public Defender to defend indigent defendants

This contract is between Bay County and the Office of the Public Defender for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Public Defender agrees to represent indigent defendants in proceedings involving violations of County Ordinances punishable by incarceration and not ancillary to state prosecution. The County agrees to remit funds to the Public Defender for payment of attorney's fees and to reimburse due process costs associated with the defense of criminal violations of the County Code. Key aspects of the contract include: • The Public Defender will provide representation for indigent defendants in County Ordinance violations punishable by incarceration and not ancillary to state prosecution. • The County will pay the Public Defender at a rate of $50 per hour for legal services rendered. • The contract can be terminated by either party with 90 days' written notice. • The Public Defender is not an agent or employee of the County, but rather a recipient of hourly fees paid by the County on behalf of the State of Florida.