MADISON - Racine resident Joe Morales was recently reappointed by Gov. Jim Doyle and confirmed by the Senate to the State Public Defender Board. Morales was initially appointed to the position in 2003, and is currently serving his third term. His new term is to end on May 1, 2012.

Morales is also the vice chair of the State Public Defender Board, serving as the chair in his/her absence. In addition, Morales heads the board's Community Outreach Committee.

The nine-member Public Defender Board provides oversight of the State Public Defender's Office (SPD), the state agency that provides legal representation to individuals charged with crimes that meet financial eligibility requirements. In addition, the State Public Defender Board has the responsibility of submitting the SPD's biennial budget request.