Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB583 by Hinojosa (Relating to the appointment of a local public defender's office to represent indigent defendants in criminal cases.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require judges in a county with a public defender's office to prioritize appointments to that office unless certain exceptions are met.
According to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
According to OCA, although there may be a small increase in the number of appointments to public defender's offices instead of to private attorneys, no significant fiscal impact to local courts is anticipated.
According to the Texas Association of Counties, no significant fiscal impact to counties is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council