SB318 Summary

• Increases hourly rate for appointed indigent defense counsel from $70 per hour to not less than $125 per hour for trial court and appellate representation.

• Raises total fee caps for trial court representation: Class A felonies from $4,000 to $7,000; Class B felonies from $3,000 to $5,500; Class C/D felonies from $2,000 to $3,500; juvenile cases from $2,500 to $4,500; all other cases from $1,500 to $2,500.

• Increases appellate representation fee caps from $2,500 to $3,500 per appeal, and certiorari petition caps from $2,500 to $3,500 per petition.

• Maintains no limit on total fees for capital offenses or charges carrying possible life without parole sentences.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.