Defense Counsel In Municipal Court Grant Program

The bill creates the defense counsel on first appearance grant program (program) in the division of local government (division) within the department of local affairs. The division shall award grants from the program to reimburse local governments, in part or in full, for costs associated with the provision of defense counsel to defendants at their first appearances in municipal courts. The program is repealed, effective September 1, 2023. Before such repeal, the department of regulatory agencies shall review the program. The bill makes an appropriation. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More