SPECIAL Bar Blast_2012-02-24

PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES COMPENSATION FOR PANEL ATTORNEYS – Delegates Frazier, Barill, Miley, T. Campbell and Hunt have introduced House Bill 4247.  The bill seeks to amend portions of West Virginia Code Section 29-21-13a related to the compensation and expenses for panel attorneys providing Public Defender Services.  Subsection (d) (1) proposes the following addition to the current statute:

Beginning July 1, 2012, compensation is $55 per hour.  Beginning July 1, 2013, compensation is $65 per hour and, beginning July 1, 2014, $75 per hour.

This change would increase the out of court hourly rate from the current $45 per hour rate which has been in effect for many years.  Subsection (d) (2) proposes the following additional language:

Beginning July 1, 2012, compensation is $75 per hour.  Beginning July 1, 2013, compensation is $85 per hour and, beginning July 1, 2014, $95 per hour.

This change would increase the rate paid for work performed in court from the current $65 per hour rate.

If you wish to take a position on this bill, call or write your Delegate.  You may also wish to make contact with Mingo County Delegate Harry Keith White, who chairs the House Finance Committee.  Delegate White can be reached at:

Harry Keith White (D – Mingo)
District 21

Capitol Address:
Room 462M, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305

Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3230
Business Phone: (304) 664-3535
E-mail: hkwhite@wvhouse.gov