Opinion No. (1980) Ag

The Attorney General is in receipt of your request for an opinion wherein you ask, in effect, the following question: Whether 10 O.S. 24 [10-24] (1971) requires public defenders, in counties where a public defenders office is maintained, to represent indigent parents in child dependency and neglect proceedings? Title 10 O.S. 24 [10-24] (1971) provides in pertinent part: "(a) When it appears to the court that the minor or his parent or guardian desires counsel but is indigent and cannot for that reason employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel. In any case in which it appears to the…