Federal Public Defense Commission Act of 2024

The Federal Public Defense Commission Act of 2024 establishes a new Federal Public Defense Commission to oversee and improve public defense services for financially eligible defendants in federal court. The bill creates a Commission with an Executive Board, Advisory Board, and Circuit Boards to ensure competent, conflict-free representation for defendants facing felony charges, certain misdemeanors, juvenile cases, probation violations, and appeals, among other scenarios. It specifies procedures for appointing counsel based on financial eligibility, determines when representation must be provided, and establishes standards for public defense services across all federal judicial districts. The Commission will oversee Federal Public Defender Offices in each district and convert existing Community Defender Organizations into Federal Public Defender Offices within five years. The bill also includes transition provisions and establishes compensation rates for panel attorneys providing representation.