California AB690 amends indigent defense compensation rules to ensure fair representation for indigent defendants.

California AB690 amends the state's indigent defense compensation rules to ensure fair representation for indigent defendants. The bill prohibits flat fee contracts for legal services, which undermine effective representation by creating a financial conflict of interest for attorneys. It mandates that counties provide contracts for indigent defense services to the Office of the State Public Defender every two years. The bill also requires that contracts include provisions for modifying the contract amount if the number of cases or costs change.

California AB690 amends indigent defense compensation rules to ensure fair representation for indigent defendants.

California AB690 amends the state's indigent defense compensation rules to ensure fair representation for indigent defendants. The bill prohibits flat fee contracts for legal services, which undermine effective representation by creating a financial conflict of interest for attorneys. It mandates that counties provide contracts for indigent defense services to the Office of the State Public Defender every two years. The bill also requires that contracts include provisions for modifying the contract amount if the number of cases or costs change.