Acceptance of fees by public advocacy attorneys prohibited -- Exceptions -- Penalty

Penalty. (1) (a) Except for attorneys appointed pursuant to KRS 31.120, 620.100, 625.041, and 625.080, an attorney providing representation under this chapter shall not accept any fees from any source other than the Department of Public Advocacy for the representation of any needy person in any case or matter assigned to the attorney, or in any matter directly related to a case or matter assigned to the attorney. (b) The compensation for representation of a needy person under this chapter shall be limited to that which is provided by the department. (c) This subsection shall not prohibit an attorney who is not employed by the department from accepting fees for the representation of any person in any case or matter unrelated to any case or matter that he or she has been assigned under this chapter. (d) As used in this subsection, "fees" shall include cash, property, or other pecuniary benefits of any kind. (2) This section shall not apply to unsolicited gifts of de minimis value that are given by or on behalf of a needy person to any attorney after the conclusion of a case or matter as a token of appreciation for the work of the attorney. (3) Any attorney who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class D felony.