Section 17-12-25. Salary of public defender; private practice prohibited

   (a) Each circuit public defender shall receive an annual salary of $87,593.58, and cost-of-living adjustments may be given by the General Assembly in the General Appropriations Act by a percentage not to exceed the average percentage of the general increase in salary as may from time to time be granted to employees of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government; provided, however, that any increase for such circuit public defender shall not include within-grade step increases for which classified employees as defined by Code Section 45-20-2 are eligible. Any increase granted pursuant to this subsection shall become effective at the same time that funds are made available for the increase for such employees. The Office of Planning and Budget shall calculate the average percentage increase.

(b) The county or counties comprising the judicial circuit may supplement the salary of the circuit public defender in an amount as is or may be authorized by local Act or in an amount as may be determined by the governing authority of the county or counties, whichever is greater.

(c) No circuit public defender shall engage in the private practice of law for profit or serve concurrently in any judicial office.

Code 1981, § 17-12-25, enacted by Ga. L. 2003, p. 191, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. ES3, § 18/HB 1EX; Ga. L. 2008, p. 846, § 32/HB 1245; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745, § 1/SB 97; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 2-18/HB 642.