Rep. Thomas to serve on commission

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS --Statehouse leaders have assigned State Rep. Amos Thomas, R-Brazil, to the Public Defender Commission.

The commission is one of several statutory study commissions, which are designed to prepare the General Assembly for issues that are likely to be discussed during the next legislative session.

"It is a great honor to be appointed to this commission," Thomas said. "My hope is that we are able to make well-reasoned and researched recommendations and determinations that will enable Indiana to provide high quality criminal defense regardless of the defendants' financial circumstances."

The Public Defender Commission is supported and staffed by the Division of State Court Administration. The 11 members of the commission make recommendations with regard to standards for indigent defense in capital cases, adopt guidelines of salary and fee schedules for individual county reimbursement eligibility and review and approve requests for reimbursement in capital cases.

Thomas is one of two members appointed to the commission by the House of Representatives.

The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature that meets on a two-year cycle, four months one year and three months the following year. In months when the General Assembly does not meet, issues are dealt with by Interim Study Committees and Statutory Commissions, which meet regularly throughout the year.

Thomas represents House District 44, which covers Putnam, Parke, Clay and Vigo counties.

He can be reached via e-mail at h44@in.gov, by phone at (800) 382-9841 or by mail at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

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