Is a 19-year-old college student entitled to a public defender?
Asked on Jan 04th, 2014 on Criminal Law - California
More details to this question:
It's a 1st offense drug charge. Person called legal aid and requested a public defender. Person works part time, goes to college, and lives with parents. Person was told PD would meet him/her at courthouse day of the arraignment. Then papers from legal aid came. Since person is under 21, papers request parents' income. Parents both work and have assets, but don't want to pay for lawyer. What happens if they deny person PD?
Its up to the judge. I would have to examine the family's assets and determine to what capacity the parents are supporting the child. Probably, the court will assign PD.
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