Legal Question in Criminal Law in Louisiana

Do I qualify for a Court Appointed Attorney?

I have been falsely accused of a felony and do not make much money (18,000 a year) and have no savings, and rent my home. I was told that I had to be destitute in order to qualify for a court appointed attorney. I have priced attorneys the appear competant in criminal law and cannot even find one that will take my case without a substantial retainer, which I cannot come up with. Am I not entitled to a court appointed attorney if I cannot afford one?


Asked on 12/02/02, 7:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Andrew Casanave Andrew M. Casanave

Re: Do I qualify for a Court Appointed Attorney?

It is the Judge who decides if you qualify for a Court-appointed lawyer. Contact the Court to arrange this. There is no standard formula for qualification.

Make a list of the lawyers that you contacted and could not afford. Some judges are more likely to give you an appointed lawyer if you tried to hire one and could not.

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Answered on 12/03/02, 12:31 am


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