Agency Histories

The Board is comprised of two members who are current commissioners or county executives of participating counties appointed by the board of directors of the Utah Association of Counties; one member at large appointed by the board of directors of the Utah Association of Counties; two members who are current county attorneys of participating counties appointed by the Utah Prosecution Council; the director of the Division of Finance or the director's designee; one member appointed by the Administrative Office of the Courts; and two members who are private attorneys engaged in or familiar with the criminal defense practice appointed by the members of the board. The purpose of the Board is to establish rules and procedures for the application by a county for disbursements, and the screening and approval of the applications for money from the fund; receive, screen, and approve, or disapprove the application of a county for disbursements from the fund; calculate the amount of the annual contribution to be made to the fund by each participating county; prescribe forms for the application for money from the fund; oversee and approve the disbursement of money from the fund; and negotiate, enter into, and administer contracts with legal counsel, qualified under and meeting the standards consistent with this chapter, to provide indigent defense services to an indigent individual prosecuted in a participating county for an offense involving aggravated murder.