Person not free on bail; court appearance, right to counsel.

Court appearance of a person not free on bail. Makes various changes to provisions regarding bail hearings in jurisdictions having a public defender office, including (i) the appointment of counsel for the accused and (ii) a requirement that counsel for the accused, when practicable, be provided with adequate time to confer with the accused prior to any bail hearing. The bill also allows a jurisdiction that does not have a public defender office establish to implement such provisions. The bill p…

Source: OpenStates · fetched March 3, 2026

• Formerly incarcerated or family ofdirectModerate impactHigh certainty

  Ensures that individuals not free on bail have their court appearance scheduled in a timely manner, potentially impacting their ability to prepare for their hearing.

  “Court appearance of a person not free on bail.”· Court appearance of a person not free on bail.

• Low-income / working-classdirectMajor impactHigh certainty

  Requires the appointment of counsel for the accused in jurisdictions with a public defender office, which is particularly beneficial for low-income individuals who cannot afford legal representation.

  “the appointment of counsel for the accused”· provisions regarding bail hearings in jurisdictions having a public defender office, including (i) the appointment of counsel for the accused

• Low-income / working-classdirectMajor impactHigh certainty

  Mandates that counsel for the accused, when practicable, be provided with adequate time to confer with the accused prior to any bail hearing, which is crucial for effective legal defense, especially for those with limited resources.

  “a requirement that counsel for the accused, when practicable, be provided with adequate time to confer with the accused prior to any bail hearing.”· and (ii) a requirement that counsel for the accused, when practicable, be provided with adequate time to confer with the accused prior to any bail hearing.