Bills › 89th General Assembly
Relating to the appointment of counsel for indigent persons by the court in certain cases
Sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2022
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 12, 2022
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 15, 2022
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 30, 202247–0
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 24, 202293–0
- Done: To the GovernorMay 2, 2022
- Done: Signed into lawMay 2, 2022
HF 2516 became law → The same legislation passed as HF 2516, so this version was set aside. Go to HF 2516 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Currently, courts can only appoint two lawyers for people who cannot afford them in certain serious felony cases. This new law would allow a court to appoint a second lawyer if an attorney from the state's wrongful convictions division joins a case already being handled by a private lawyer. This change would affect people who are too poor to pay for their own legal defense.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the appointment of counsel for indigent persons by the court in certain cases. Current law provides that an indigent person is entitled to the appointment of one attorney in all cases, except that in class “A” felony cases the court may appoint two attorneys under certain circumstances. The bill provides that in addition to cases involving class “A” felonies, the court may also appoint two attorneys when an assistant public defender from the wrongful convictions division of the office of the state public defender enters an appearance after a private attorney has been appointed to represent the indigent person.
Changed since by amendment H-8126; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 12, 2022 (as SSB 3021). Meeting: Monday, January 24 · 12:30 PM · Room 217 Conference Room.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part