CA AB259

Adds Section 27701.5 to the Government Code to establish eligibility criteria for the Los Angeles County Public Defender position.

Expands eligibility beyond practicing attorneys to include sitting or retired judges, judicial commissioners, magistrates, referees, and elected public officials who meet specified qualifications.

Requires candidates from judicial or elected office backgrounds to be active State Bar members and to resign their current positions before or upon election/appointment as Public Defender.

Requires all candidates regardless of category to have practiced law in California courts for at least one year preceding their appointment as Public Defender.

Declares that a special statute for Los Angeles County is necessary due to the unique size, scope, and complexity of the Public Defender's office requiring an expansive applicant pool.