Public Defense Pilot Program


Background

The Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 129) established the Public Defense Pilot Program. Public Defense Pilot Program funds must be utilized for indigent defense providers, including public defenders, alternate defenders, and other qualifying entities that provide indigent defense in criminal matters for the purposes of workload associated with the provisions in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 1170 of, and Sections 1170.95, 1473.7, and 3051 of, the Penal Code.