Peru bill: officials to prepay legal defense, reimbursed only if acquitted

Peruvian congresswoman Roxana Rocha (Renovación Popular) filed a bill amending the Civil Service Law to require public officials and former officials to pay their own legal defense costs upfront, with state reimbursement only upon a final ruling of innocence. The proposal, if enacted, would shift financial risk onto officials and could deter litigation or alter incentives in corruption cases. Its legislative prospects are uncertain.