Court-appointed counsel; compensation in district court for those defending juvenile offenders. (HB536)
Introduced By
Del. Chris Peace (R-Mechanicsville)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Compensation of court-appointed counsel; juvenile offenders. Provides that court-appointed counsel who are appointed to defend a juvenile in district court for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult may request a waiver on the compensation cap up to certain specified amounts depending on the charges being defended when the effort expended, the time reasonably necessary for the particular representation, the novelty and difficulty of the issues, or other circumstances warrant such a waiver. The maximum amounts of the waivers allowed are fixed at the level of the compensation cap for defending adults of the same crimes in circuit court. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/07/2008 | Committee |
01/07/2008 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 081068676 |
01/07/2008 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
01/16/2008 | Assigned Courts sub: Criminal |
02/01/2008 | Impact statement from DPB (HB536) |
02/01/2008 | Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/01/2008 | Referred to Committee on Appropriations |
02/05/2008 | Assigned App. sub: General Government (Abbitt) |
02/12/2008 | Left in Appropriations |
Comments
Why only apply this legislation to juvenile offenders? Virginia ranks last in the country in compensation for court-appointed attorneys representing indigent offenders. I believe our commonwealth should really re-examine our justice system, especially regarding public/court-appointed defenders. Should justice come at a price? The answer is no, therefore this bill should extend to all indigent offenders, not just juveniles.