By Mr. Naughton of Clinton, petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 1618) of Harold P. Naughton, Jr., for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) of the standards by which indigent counsel are appointed in the Commonwealth.  The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Harold P. Naughton, Jr.

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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Resolve Providing for an investigation and study of the standards by which indigent counsel are appointed in the Commonwealth.

    Resolved,

That a special commission consisting of two members of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, two members of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, the Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means or his designee, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means or his designee, one justice of the District Court department of the Trial Court, one criminal defense attorney, the President of the Massachusetts Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers or his designee, the Executive Director of the Committee for Public Counsel Services or his designee, and the President of the Massachusetts Bar Association or his designee, is hereby established for the purpose of making an investigation and study of the standards by which indigent counsel are appointed in the Commonwealth, including but not limited to, the criteria by which justices determine eligibility for indigent counsel, the compensation of indigent counsel, and the financial status of any defendant under consideration for appointment of counsel. Said commission shall report to the General Court the results of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry such recommendations into effect by filing the same with the Clerk of the House of Representatives on or before the first Wednesday in November, two thousand and four.