(a) The Deputy Defender General and a public defender must be licensed to practice law in this State and otherwise competent to counsel and defend a person charged with crime.

(b) The Deputy Defender General and a public defender may not otherwise engage in the practice of criminal law, except as otherwise provided in section 5203 of this title. This limitation shall not apply to the assigned counsel coordinator or to attorneys providing services under contract pursuant to section 5253 of this title. (Added 1971, No 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. date, see note; amended 1981, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 8, 1982; 1987, No. 183 (Adj. Sess.), § 26.)