Director: Powers and Duties

12 GCA § 11111, under Guam Public Defender Service Corporation Act.

12 GCA § 11111

The Director shall have the sole responsibility to carry out the purposes and duties of the Corporation and ensure that each division fulfills its statutory duty, including but not limited to: (a) Appointing a Deputy Director, and fix his/her duties, under and in accordance with 4 GCA, as may be necessary for the purposes of this Chapter. (b) Appointing the managing attorney of each Corporation division, when necessary. (c) Hiring the necessary attorney, professional, technical, and support staff for each division to accomplish the division’s statutory duties. (d) Determining and implementing the method for delivering public legal services by utilizing government-employed public defenders and private attorneys. (e) Requiring and receiving monthly financial reporting from each division, including assets, liabilities, receipts, and expenditures. (f) Collecting and analyzing data from all divisions. (g) Requesting proposed budgets from each division, to propose a comprehensive budget for each division to the Board of Trustees. (h) Proposing budgets and policies to the Board of Trustees. (i) Distributing legislative appropriations to each division. (j) Assisting the Board in developing standards. (k) Investigating, auditing, and reviewing the operation of all public legal services to ensure compliance with the Board of Trustees’ standards, rules, and procedures. (l) Identifying and implementing a system of performance metrics to assess compliance with Board standards. (m) Establishing procedures for clients, judges, and prosecutors to communicate concerns and/or needs regarding the provision of public legal services, and procedures for the Corporation to respond.

COL 2026-04-23

(n) Establishing procedures for monitoring, and responding to, client complaints on an ongoing basis. (o) Providing training and support to all public legal services providers. (p) Submitting an Annual Report to the Board of Trustees. SOURCE: GC § 60010, entitled “Attorneys” as enacted by P.L. 13-051:1 (July 10, 1975) effective 30 days upon enactment pursuant to P.L. 13-051:2. Repealed and reenacted by P.L. 38-048:2 (Aug. 18, 2025) effective October 1, 2025 pursuant to P.L. 38-048:6.