HB611 Relative to repayment regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants.
Relative to repayment regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Reduces financial burden on people who are already impoverished, preventing debt traps that hinder economic recovery.
Your Community
Helps formerly accused individuals reintegrate into the economy rather than being crushed by legal debt.
Your Freedom
The right to counsel is constitutional; requiring repayment from the indigent effectively punishes people for exercising that right.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 01/07/2026 House Journal 1 P. 72
Sponsor
Buzz Scherr (D)
The Short Version
Would have reformed rules for requiring indigent criminal defendants to repay the cost of their court-appointed lawyers. Current repayment requirements can trap poor defendants in debt after their cases conclude.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Low-income criminal defendants
- ▲ People who've been acquitted but still owe legal fees
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ State budget for public defender costs
Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.