California bill seeks to force state to confront public defender crisis

A new California bill would require counties to report public defender caseloads, aiming to address a crisis where attorneys handle hundreds of cases annually. - The bill follows a CalMatters investigation exposing failures in county-based public defense systems.

- California is one of only two states that provide no funding or oversight for trial-level public defense. - Many rural counties use flat-fee contracts that disincentivize thorough legal work.

- The bill has passed two committees and is now before the Appropriations Committee. The legislation seeks to bring transparency to a system where disparities are widespread, with supporters calling it a necessary first step toward reform.