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HB 1445

Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Donna Campbell and 2 co-sponsors

Texas increases compensation rates for court-appointed attorneys representing poor defendants in criminal and juvenile cases, effective September 1, 2025.

Effective on 9/1/25
#courts--judges(i0140) #criminalprocedure--defensecounsel(i0207) #indigentlegalservices(s0598)
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Bill Summary · HB 1445

Legislative bill overview

HB 1445 adjusts compensation rates for court-appointed attorneys representing indigent defendants in Texas criminal and juvenile cases. The bill modifies how much the state reimburses public defenders and appointed counsel for their legal services, addressing long-standing concerns about inadequate compensation in the public defense system.

Why is this important

Inadequate compensation for court-appointed counsel directly affects the quality of legal representation available to low-income defendants, potentially impacting case outcomes and constitutional protections. This rate adjustment reflects ongoing debates about whether Texas adequately funds its public defense system and whether current compensation attracts and retains qualified attorneys in criminal practice.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to taxpayers: Increasing appointed counsel compensation raises state spending on the criminal justice system, though advocates argue current rates are unsustainably low
  • Implementation details: The specific rate increases and whether they apply uniformly across case types (misdemeanors vs. felonies, adult vs. juvenile) may be debated
  • Sufficiency of increase: Reform advocates may argue the adjustment doesn't go far enough to address systemic underfunding, while fiscal conservatives may question whether raises are fiscally justified

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

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