“Meaningful reform requires a different approach: a genuine statewide partnership, ongoing state investment in indigent defense infrastructure and strategies to expand the pipeline of rural defense attorneys.” — Supervisor Miles Menetrey
In a Sacramento Bee commentary, Mariposa County Supervisor and RCRC Chair Miles Menetrey outlines concerns with AB 690, arguing that while the bill aims to strengthen public defense, it could create major challenges for rural counties by imposing new service requirements without providing adequate funding or workforce support. For many rural counties, flexible contracting remains essential due to attorney shortages and limited local resources.
As the Legislature weighs bills in the final weeks of session, AB 690 remains a key issue for counties. Thank you to Supervisor Menetrey for highlighting these concerns and advocating for a stronger state-county partnership to improve indigent defense across California.
Read here: https://tinyurl.com/5af348nz
