How Do I Get A Court Appointed Attorney?

When going to court for a first appearance or arraignment, the first question that many people have is “How do I get a court appointed attorney?” The idea of facing the judge or the prosecutor with no legal representation can seem intimidating and for good reason, the legal system is complicated and the language used in the courtroom can seem like a foreign one to those who have never experienced the judicial system firsthand.

Qualifying

The first part of the answer to “How do I get a court appointed attorney?” has to do with qualifying.
In most first appearance courtrooms, the clerk will make an announcement at the beginning of the calendar that will include the information for those who may wish to apply for a public defender or court appointed attorney. The public defender eligibility forms are financial disclosure forms that are designed to determine the defendant’s ability to afford legal representation. For people who are unemployed and have no significant assets, the qualifying threshold may be met. If the applicant is receiving any form of public assistance, such as Social Security or food stamps, it may also be automatic that they are determined eligible.

Interview

The staff at the public defender’s office will briefly interview the applicant after the form is filled out to clarify any answers that require it and to have the person swear under penalty of law that their answers are the truth.

Fees

Once you have your answer for “How do I get a court appointed attorney”, you will need to find out the fees for the public defenders in your judicial district. The days of completely free representation are now replaced by a minimum fee that must be paid to the public defender for their services.

How Do I Get A Court Appointed Attorney?

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