In a “Managed Assigned Counsel” (MAC) system, an independent administrator manages a panel of private attorneys who are qualified to take court appointments, provides the attorneys with access to investigators and other resources, and oversees the quality of representation.

A MAC Program and a regular panel system both rely on private attorneys to handle court-appointed cases, but they differ in structure, oversight, and support.

In a regular panel system, courts assign cases directly to private attorneys from an approved list, often on a rotational basis. Attorneys work independently with minimal oversight, and while they may have access to some resources, they are generally responsible for handling cases without centralized support. Payment is typically administered by the court or another government entity, but there is little case management beyond ensuring assignments are made.

A MAC Program introduces centralized management to improve quality and efficiency. An independent office oversees case assignments, ensuring attorneys are qualified and workloads are well distributed. The program also provides access to support services such as investigators, social workers, and expert witnesses. The MAC office also monitors the quality of representation, offers training, and ensures attorneys have the resources they need to provide effective defense.