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SB 901

Compensation of court-appointed counsel.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Russet Perry

SB 901 raises Virginia's court-appointed counsel compensation rates effective July 1, 2025, to improve legal representation access for indigent defendants and increase attorney participation in public defense work.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0089)
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Bill Summary · SB 901

Legislative bill overview

SB 901 increases compensation rates for court-appointed counsel in Virginia, adjusting fees paid to public defenders and private attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants. The bill became law on July 1, 2025, following gubernatorial approval in March.

Why is this important

Court-appointed counsel compensation directly affects the quality of legal representation available to low-income defendants and the willingness of private attorneys to accept court appointments. Inadequate compensation can lead to attorney shortages, case backlogs, and potential fairness concerns in the criminal justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to state budget: Increased compensation rates require additional public funding, which may compete with other legislative priorities or require revenue sources
  • Adequacy debate: Stakeholders may disagree on whether the new rates are sufficient to attract quality counsel or merely incremental improvements
  • Implementation disparities: Different judicial districts or case types may experience uneven impacts depending on current workload and staffing levels

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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