Rule 29.8.Assignment of Cases to Private Attorneys
Rule 29. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 29.8 requires panel-based appointments to be made impartially through a rotation system that balances workloads, matches case complexity and death-penalty cases to sufficiently experienced attorneys, and still gives less experienced attorneys supervised opportunities to grow.
Full Text of Rule 29.8
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(A) Appointments of private attorneys shall be made on an impartial and equitable basis;
(B) The cases shall be distributed among the attorneys to ensure balanced workloads through a rotation system;
(C) More difficult or complex cases shall be assigned to attorneys with sufficient levels of experience and competence to afford adequate representation;
(D) Less experienced attorneys should be assigned cases which are within their capabilities, but should be given the opportunity to expand their experience under supervision; and,
(E) Cases in which the death penalty is sought shall be assigned only to attorneys of sufficient experience, skill and competence to render effective assistance of counsel to defendants in such cases.
Plain-English Summary
When a county uses a panel of private attorneys for indigent defense, Rule 29.8 governs how cases get handed out. Appointments have to be impartial and equitable, distributed through a rotation system so no attorney gets buried while others sit idle.
Case difficulty matters too. The rule pushes complex or difficult cases toward attorneys with enough experience and competence to handle them, while giving less experienced attorneys cases within their reach — with room to take on more demanding work under supervision as they grow. Death penalty cases get the strictest filter: they go only to attorneys with sufficient experience, skill, and competence to provide effective assistance in a case where the stakes are highest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What standard governs how panel attorney appointments are made?
Appointments must be made on an impartial and equitable basis.
How are cases distributed among panel attorneys?
Cases are distributed among the attorneys to ensure balanced workloads through a rotation system.
Who handles more difficult or complex cases?
They are assigned to attorneys with sufficient levels of experience and competence to afford adequate representation.
Can less experienced attorneys take on more challenging cases?
They should be assigned cases within their capabilities but given the opportunity to expand their experience under supervision.
What limits apply to assigning death penalty cases?
Cases in which the death penalty is sought shall be assigned only to attorneys of sufficient experience, skill, and competence to render effective assistance of counsel.
Amendment History
Amended effective October 9, 1997.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
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