BILL NUMBER: AB 1343INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Thurmond FEBRUARY 27, 2015 An act relating to criminal procedure. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1343, as introduced, Thurmond. Criminal procedure: defense counsel. Existing law requires the court in a noncapital case, if the defendant appears for arraignment without counsel, to inform the defendant that it is his or her right to have counsel before being arraigned and to ask the defendant if he or she desires the assistance of counsel. If the defendant desires and is unable to employ counsel, the court is required to assign counsel to defend him or her as provided. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that requires defense counsel in California to comply with Padilla v. Kentucky (2010) 559 U.S. 356. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that requires defense counsel in California to comply with Padilla v. Kentucky (2010) 559 U.S. 356.