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SB 2009

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

SB 2009 modifies Texas compensation rates for court-appointed attorneys representing low-income criminal and juvenile defendants, affecting legal representation quality and state expenditures.

Committee report printed and distributed
#attorney'sfees(s0202) #courts--judges(i0140) #criminalprocedure--defensecounsel(i0207) #indigentlegalservices(s0598)
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Bill Summary · SB 2009

Legislative bill overview

SB 2009 addresses the compensation structure for court-appointed attorneys representing indigent defendants in Texas criminal and juvenile cases. The bill modifies how the state reimburses public defenders and appointed counsel for their work on these cases, likely adjusting fee schedules or payment mechanisms that have remained relatively static.

Why is this important

Court-appointed counsel compensation directly affects the quality of legal representation available to people who cannot afford private attorneys—a constitutional right. Inadequate compensation can lead to attorney shortages, excessive caseloads, and potentially weaker defense outcomes, while appropriate compensation helps ensure access to competent legal defense and system stability.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Changes to counsel compensation affect state budgets; increases may face fiscal resistance while freezes perpetuate underfunding complaints
  • Quality vs. affordability trade-off: Higher compensation improves attorney availability and case preparation, but increases public costs during budget constraints
  • Geographic disparities: Rural and urban counties may experience different impacts if compensation structures don't account for local cost-of-living variations

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

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