(a) In addition to the arrangements authorized under Code Section 17-12-4, the superior court of a county, with the concurrence of the county governing authority, may establish and maintain an office of public defender to provide indigent persons with the representation contemplated under this article.

(b) If an office of public defender is established for a county, the superior court of that county shall appoint a person to serve as public defender for a term of two years. The public defender must be licensed to practice law in this state and must be competent to counsel and defend a person charged with a crime. During his incumbency the public defender may not engage in the practice of criminal law other than in the discharge of the duties of his office unless he is approved in writing to practice criminal law by the senior judge of the superior court of his judicial circuit. The superior court, with the concurrence of the county governing authority, shall determine whether the public defender is to be employed on a full-time or a part-time basis and shall determine his compensation.

(c) If an office of public defender is established, the public defender may employ, in the manner and at the compensation prescribed by the superior court and concurred in by the county governing authority, as many assistant public defenders, clerks, investigators, stenographers, and other persons as may be necessary for carrying out his responsibilities under this article. A person employed under this subsection serves at the pleasure of the public defender, unless his position is under a civil service system in which he may be removed only for cause.

(d) If an office of public defender is established, the county governing authority shall provide appropriate facilities, including office space, furniture, equipment, books, postage, supplies, and interviewing facilities in the jail, necessary for carrying out the public defender's responsibilities under this article or shall grant the public defender an allowance in place of such facilities.

(e) If an office of public defender is established, his compensation, expenses and allowances, and the expense necessary to establish, maintain, and support his office shall be paid by the county governing authority out of public funds available for the operation of the courts in the county.

(f) The superior court of a circuit, with the concurrence of the county governing authority of two or more counties within the same circuit, may establish and maintain a joint office of public defender under this Code section; or a single governing authority may contract with a public defender of another county within the same circuit for the services of his office to serve as the public defender, provided the superior court of the circuit and the governing authority of the county concur in the contract.