SB318 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Indigents, increase the rate of fees an attorney can charge for representation of, Secs. 15-12-21, 15-12-22 am'd.

Summary

SB318 would raise the hourly pay rate for appointed indigent defense attorneys to at least $125 per hour and increase the total fee caps for trial and appellate representation.

What This Bill Does

It sets the minimum hourly rate for appointed indigent counsel at $125 per hour for trial and appeal. It increases the caps on total fees that can be paid to indigent defense attorneys, aligning them with the higher rate. It preserves the existing fee and expense structures, including reimbursements for nonoverhead expenses and required court oversight, and it adds payment timelines. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Indigent defendants who rely on appointed counsel, whose representation costs would be higher due to the increased hourly rate and higher fee caps
• Indigent defense attorneys who would be paid more per hour and could receive higher total fees, with updated reimbursement rules

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Increase the hourly rate for appointed indigent counsel to not lower than $125 per hour for trial and appellate representation, replacing the current $70 per hour minimum
• Provision 2: Raise total fee caps for trial and appellate representation to be commensurate with the higher hourly rate, with caps varying by case type (e.g., capital offenses, felonies, juveniles) and including reimbursement rules for approved nonoverhead expenses and a defined payment timeline

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Indigents