KRS 31.100: Definitions.

The following terms and standards shall apply, subject to further definition and regulation

by the Department of Public Advocacy:

(1) "Defending attorney" means any attorney who is representing a needy or indigent

person;

(2) "Department" means the Department of Public Advocacy;

(3) "Detain" means to have in custody or otherwise deprive of freedom of action;

(4) "Expenses," when used with reference to representation under this chapter, includes

the expenses of investigation, other preparation, and trial, to gether with the

expenses of any appeal;

(5) "Needy person" or "indigent person" means:

(a) A person eighteen (18) years of age or older or an emancipated minor under

the age of eighteen (18) who, at the time his or her need is determined, is

unable to prov ide for the payment of an attorney and all other necessary

expenses of representation;

(b) A minor, under the age of eighteen (18), who is a party defendant in an action

of being an habitual runaway from his or her parent or person exercising

control or supervision of the child brought under KRS 630.020(1) or of being

beyond the control of parents brought under KRS 630.020(2), and at the time

his or her need is determined is unable to provide for the payment of an

attorney and all other necessary expenses of representation;

(c) An unemancipated minor, under the age of eighteen (18), who allegedly has

committed an offense as described in KRS 610.010(1), or who allegedly is

beyond the control of the school as described in KRS 610.010(2)(a), or who

allegedly is an habitual truant from school as described in KRS 610.010(2)(b),

or who allegedly is an habitual runaway as described in KRS 610.010(2)(c),

whose custodial parent or guardian at the time the need of the minor is

determined is unable to provide for the pa yment of an attorney and all other

necessary expenses of representation, and who cannot personally so provide;

or

(d) An unemancipated minor, under the age of eighteen (18), alleged to have

committed an offense as described in KRS 610.010(1) or (2)(a), (b) , or (c),

whose custodial parent or guardian at the time the need of the minor is

determined has interests adverse to the child relevant to the charged offenses

and who is able to provide for the payment of an attorney and all other

necessary expenses of r epresentation, when such representation is not

provided or is not consented to by the unemancipated minor;

(6) "Non-lawyer assistants" shall:

(a) Have the same meaning contemplated by SCR 3.130(5.3) "Responsibilities

regarding non-lawyer assistants"; and

(b) Be subject to the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules of Evidence as

they relate to client confidentiality, attorney -client communications, and

attorney-client privilege.

All non-lawyer assistants hired by the department who are independently licensed or

certified shall practice under the attorney -client privilege, irrespective of other

obligations or duties arising with their independent licenses or certifications.

Nothing in this subsection shall authorize the disclosure of confidential information

to non-lawyer assistants within the department who are not performing duties at the

direction of an attorney;

(7) "Plan" means an agreement between the Department of Public Advo cacy and

attorneys for the representation of indigent persons who are entitled to

representation under this chapter and who, by reason of conflict or otherwise,

cannot be represented by the department; and

(8) "Serious crime" includes:

(a) A felony;

(b) A misdemeanor or offense any penalty for which includes the possibility of

confinement;

(c) Any legal action which could result in the detainment of a defendant; and

(d) An act that, but for the age of the person involved, would otherwise be a

serious crime.