2007-01-16 13:50:18 · 5 answers · asked by journeythroughlife85 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
"If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you" is somewhat inaccurate. You have to qualify as indigent to have an appointed attorney. Also, indigent people will have to repay their legal fees at some point, but at a fraction of the cost that normal people would pay.
It really isn't a fair system, as I make too much to qualify as indigent, but cannot afford an attorney if I needed one. Luckily, I do not break the law, so I am not too worried.
2007-01-16 15:09:35 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are only entittled to a free attorney if the charges lend themselves to a jury trial. Meaning you may elect a jury trial. If it is an infraction of the law where only a fine may be imposed then you are not entittled to a lawyer.
2007-01-17 00:13:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
only if you can't afford an attorney. A friend of mine was out of work and had zero money. The judge still wouldn't assign an attorney.
2007-01-16 21:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by something 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to ask your city/cty legal dept, in MI, guilty verdicts still results in punitive damages and paying the legal fees of court appointed counsel is one of them, this is a reoccurring trend, you are better off to call your BAR association and ask for legal aid info, really.....
2007-01-16 22:03:36 · answer #4 · answered by defenseonly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you can not afford an attorney . . .
2007-01-16 21:54:48 · answer #5 · answered by Say What? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋