AR SB941

Eliminates the maximum amount of compensation in capital cases, allowing appointed attorneys to receive unlimited compensation for capital defense work.

Increases the user fee assessed to indigent defendants from a maximum of $100 to $250 at the time of counsel appointment, with payment required before case resolution.

Expands compensable expenses to include mitigation specialists and clarifies that the Arkansas Public Defender Commission shall pay all authorized orders if sufficient funds are available.

Requires courts to review indigency affidavits before appointing counsel and authorizes the commission to develop standardized indigency forms that must be entered into the record at appointment.

Modifies the public defender selection process so that if judges do not vote by majority for one of the three candidates submitted by the commission, the commission itself shall select the public defender.