QUESTION
If an 18 year old who is still in school and raised by grandparents needs a public defender, do the grandparents need to pay for anything?
Asked on Mar 19th, 2013 on Criminal Law - Colorado
5 ANSWERS
Michael J. Breczinski
The grandparents should not have to pay since an 18 year old is an adult.
Answered on Mar 21st, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Dennis P. Mikko
Once the person is 18 they are an adult and should have to stand on their own. Without more, there is no way to determine why the grandparents' income was asked for.
Answered on Mar 21st, 2013 at 9:00 AM
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If the 18-year-old is still in school then presumably he/she is still taken care by the grandparents which is why they would ask for the income. Court-appointed attorney aren't necessarily free lawyers. You may be ordered to pay a reduced amount for the attorney services by the court.
Answered on Mar 20th, 2013 at 2:08 PM
2 Awards
Public defenders are appointed to defendants that do not have sufficient means to pay for a private lawyer. If a defendant qualifies for the services of the public defenders is an income driven question. The court will review all sources of income (including your grandparents) and support that you receive to determine if you qualify or not for appointment of counsel.
Answered on Mar 20th, 2013 at 2:07 PM
With a public defender the court will ask the Defendant, parent, or legal guardian to pay the legal fees. Usually these run in the hundreds of dollars. However, if the Defendant can show that he does not have any money, the court may waive the payment requirement.
Answered on Mar 20th, 2013 at 2:07 PM