The cases in which Public Defender Services is authorized to provide services are criminal cases, juvenile cases, cases of abuse and neglect, paternity cases, and contempt and mental hygiene matters. Driving-under-the-influence administrative appeals are applicable to criminal matters. The digest is divided into various topics and is cross-indexed throughout according to the issues discussed by the Supreme Court of Appeals. Each case is presented under a subcategory of the broad category into which it falls. In addition to the case documentation, the background of each case is described, and the legal points at issue are highlighted. In summarizing the Court's decision, the digest attempts to be faithful to the language of the Court. The tables of contents for other volumes in this series are also included.