ACLU of California

California Bill Seeks to End Flat-Fee Contracts for Indigent Defense

By David GreenwaldJune 26, 20250 comments

AB 690, a bill aimed at ending the use of privatized flat-fee contracts for indigent defense services in California, has passed the Senate Public Safety Committee and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with supporters arguing that it would improve justice outcomes and save counties money over time.

AB 690 Targets Flawed Indigent Defense Contracts in California

By David GreenwaldMay 31, 20250 comments

AB 690, a bill authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, has passed through the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the Appropriations Committee, aiming to eliminate flat-fee contracts for indigent defense in California and provide greater oversight, transparency, and fairness to the state’s fragmented public defense system.