Whenever the Public Defender is requested to represent without
charge, whether at the request of the defendant or by order of the
court, with the consent of the defendant, each indigent defendant
who is charged with a crime, the Public Defender shall cause to be
conducted such investigation to determine the indigency of such defendant.
If such investigation results in determination that such defendant
is indigent, the Public Defender shall counsel and represent him/her
at every stage of the proceedings following arrest, shall initiate
such proceedings as in his/her judgment are necessary to protect the
rights of the accused, and may prosecute any appeal, if in his/her
judgment the facts and circumstances warrant such appeal. If such
investigation results in a determination of nonindigency on the part
of such defendant, the Public Defender shall immediately notify the
appropriate court and request the cessation of representation.
In the conduct of the investigation provided for in Section
13.01 of this Code, the Public Defender may seek the cooperation and
assistance of any unit of County government and such unit shall furnish
such information as the Public Defender may require, except where
prohibited by law.