Senate committee advances bill to end municipal public defender fees

Senate committee advances bill to end municipal public defender fees

Towns would be barred from charging fees to people using public defenders under the bill. Supporters say the fee unduly burdens low-income residents. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would end municipalities’ ability to charge for public defenders in a party-line vote Monday. The bill would repeal a law that allows municipalities to charge indigent defendants up to $200 for representation in m…