HB24-1437
Prohibit Flat Fees for Defending Indigent Clients
Concerning prohibiting a municipality from using specified payment structures for indigent defense services under certain circumstances.
Session:
2024 Regular Session
Subject:
Bill Summary
Courts & Judicial
Beginning July 1, 2025, the act requires a municipality that prosecutes an act of domestic violence and that contracts directly with one or more defense attorneys to provide counsel to indigent defendants to ensure that the municipality's contract does not use a fixed or flat-fee payment structure for indigent defense services. The act requires the municipal court to instead use the same payment structure and rates that are paid by the state of Colorado to attorneys or other interdisciplinary team members under contract with the office of alternate defense counsel and consistent with chief justice directive 04-04.
APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2024
EFFECTIVE July 1, 2025
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)