SB 485

Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county to establish the office of public defender for the county. Existing law requires that a public defender of the county serve at the board of supervisors’ will if the public defender is to be appointed. This bill would instead only allow the board of supervisors to remove an appointed public defender from office by a 3 5 vote for neglect of duty, malfeasance or misconduct in office, or other good cause. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.