Court Appointed Counsel
Please Note
If a defendant cannot afford an attorney a public defender may be appointed by the court.
At the arraignment, if the defendant wants to be represented by an attorney, but cannot afford one, a request may be made for a court appointed attorney.
The defendant may be requested to complete a financial declaration which is reviewed by the judicial officer or a panel attorney as to whether the defendant qualifies for the public defender. If the court determines the defendant meets the qualifications, an attorney will be appointed.
If you qualify for a court appointed counsel, the court will also make a determination of your ability to pay all or part of the costs and order the same. This order has the same force and effect as a civil judgment.
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