Court Appointed Attorney

Persons who are charged with a crime and who cannot afford to hire an attorney may request the court appoint an attorney at state expense. In addition, a court appointed attorney may be requested in a juvenile dependency (abuse or neglect), termination of parental rights, or juvenile delinquency proceeding.

 

Persons who are involved in a civil proceeding, such as domestic relations matter, personal injury, landlord / tenant, bankruptcy and employment cases are not eligible for legal representation at state expense.

 

A person is financially eligible for court appointed attorney at state expense if the person is “unable to retain adequate counsel without substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the person or the person’s dependent family”. The court shall order individuals with sufficient financial resources to pay in full or in part the administrative costs of determining eligibility and the anticipated costs of representation. A clerk will review the application for court appointed attorney to determine a person’s financial eligibility and their ability to pay an application fee and if appropriate a contribution amount towards the court appointed attorney.

If you would like to apply for court appointed attorney you will need to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility. If you are out of custody, you may apply in person at the Indigent Defense window on the first floor of the Courthouse. If you are in custody, a clerk of the court will contact you at the jail, or you may request court appointed counsel at your first court appearance. There is typically a $20.00 application fee, and depending on your financial situation the court may charge an additional contribution amount.

 

If you are eligible for court appointed attorney you will need to call 503-722-4000 to find out who your attorney will be and how to contact your attorney.