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Council raises municipal court appointed defense fee to $500 per case
Summary
Baldwin City Council voted to increase the flat per-case fee paid to the appointed municipal court defense attorney from $250 to $500, citing difficulty recruiting attorneys and positive feedback on current counsel; council estimated the town’s annual expenditure for this service at about $4,000.
The council voted to raise the flat per-case fee paid to the municipal court’s appointed defense attorney from the historic $250 to $500 per case.
Chair (S4) summarized the current arrangement as a flat $250 per case ("no matter how many hours he works on it") and noted the city’s appointed attorney requested an increase. Council discussion referenced last year’s expenditures (Chair said roughly $4,000 total for appointed-attorney services in the prior 12 months) and that the attorney takes a day off from his other job to cover court. Unidentified Speaker (S1) moved to increase the fee to $500 per case; the motion was seconded and passed.
Council members said the increase is intended to retain a well-regarded attorney and reduce the risk of losing him to burnout or replacement difficulties. The change will take effect for future appointed defense work; staff will adjust budget planning accordingly.
