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Public Defender trustees say bylaws must be consistent with judicial-branch authority after hourlong debate
Summary
The Public Defender Service Corporation Board of Trustees spent the bulk of its meeting debating whether the corporation is properly characterized as part of the judicial branch or as an independent public corporation created by Public Law 38‑48. After extended legal discussion, trustees adopted an amendment stating that the board will interpret and construct its bylaws consistent with judicial‑branch requirements.
The Public Defender Service Corporation Board of Trustees spent the bulk of its meeting debating whether the corporation is properly characterized as part of the judicial branch or as an independent public corporation created by Public Law 38‑48. After extended legal discussion, trustees adopted an amendment stating that the board will interpret and construct its bylaws consistent with judicial‑branch requirements.
The disagreement centered on statutory language in Public Law 38‑48, past Guam Supreme Court holdings (including the Public Defender Service Corporation litigation discussed in the meeting), and related provisions cited in briefing materials. Trustees and staff described practical…
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