Welfare and Institutions Code section 5521

It is the intent of the Legislature that legal representation regarding changes in client legal status or conditions and other areas covered by statute providing for local public defender or court-appointed attorney representation, shall remain the responsibility of local agencies, in particular the county public defender. County patients’ rights advocates shall not duplicate, replace, or conflict with these existing or mandated local legal representations. This section shall not be construed to prevent maximum cooperation between legal representatives and providers of advocacy services.