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Having a public defender appointed
Anonymous3 views2 answers
A friend was arrested on a drug charge a couple of weeks ago. He also has charges pending in another county, and is due in court there next week. At the probable cause hearing in Jefferson County, Judge Bridgforth asked him if he was going to hire an attorney. He didn't understand the ramifications of her question. He has no assets, no property, has not worked in a couple of years, and has no way to pay for an attorney. I had him sign an affadavit of indigency, and sent it to the judge, but as yet there has been no response, and he's running out of time. Is there something else I can do? ”
He should appear at the appointed time and plead the indigency - the court will appoint an attorney at that time. He should ask questions of the clerk in that county what the procedure is for an appointment of an attorney.
Steven Ray DavisSocial Security LawyersNorth Little Rock, AR ·
The only thing you could do is to urge your friend to contact the judge's trial court assistant and possibly the public defender's office and ask them what to do in his situation. Your friend would probably be better off to talk to someone ahead of the next court hearing. It might be a good idea to call the judge's chambers and ask to speak to the trial court assistant or case coordinator and ask if their office received the affidavit.
Anyone who is charged with a crime which could result in imprisonment and who can't afford a lawyer should be able to have a public defender appointed.
