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Kings County raises indigent defense hourly rate to $150, citing rising costs and workload
Summary
The Board of Supervisors repealed an older fee resolution and approved a new indigent defense fee schedule that doubles the $75 hourly rate for noncontracted and conflict-appointed attorneys to $150, with an estimated fiscal impact of $431,000 for FY 2025–26.
Kings County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to repeal Resolution No. 24039 and adopt an amended indigent defense fee schedule that raises the hourly rate paid to noncontracted and conflict-appointed attorneys from $75 to $150.
The change, presented by Giselle Coyote of Kings County administration, is intended to better reflect current market rates for legal services and to address increasing demand on indigent defense following earlier criminal-justice adjustments. The county estimates the update will increase costs by about $431,000 and that amount will be incorporated into the recommended fiscal year 2025–26 budget.
Coyote told the board Kings County…
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