Opinion ID: 2064000
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: right to court appointed counsel

Text: The crux of this appeal is the absence of Walter at the trial and that he had no counsel to represent him at the trial to safeguard his rights. Section 14-17-18, N.D.C.C., provides: 1. At the pretrial hearing and in further proceedings, any party may be represented by counsel. The court shall appoint counsel for a party who is financially unable to obtain counsel. § 14-17-18(1), N.D.C.C. There is nothing in the record to indicate that any request was made by Walter for court-appointed counsel. Walter's brief states that the request was in a letter addressed to the trial court which was admitted into evidence at the hearing as the court's exhibit No. 1. Court's exhibit No. 1, however, is a request by Walter addressed to the trial court dated January 16, 1980, that he, Walter, be named the father of Matthew, that he be required to pay nominal support, and that he receive visitation rights. A letter to Walter from the trial court dated January 2, 1980, indicates that a letter was received by the court. In that letter the court said: If your letter is to be considered as a request for the appointment of a lawyer, then this court needs a detailed listing of all your assets and debts in which [you] shall also include your wife's assets and debts. Walter did not send to the court any information regarding his financial position. His response dated January 16, 1980, was court's exhibit No. 1, which Walter's brief erroneously states was Walter's first letter to the court. In this letter, Walter states it is impossible for him to travel to Fargo or hire another attorney and requests certain action at the hearing. He requested: (1) that the court name him as the father of Matthew; (2) that he be allowed to visit Matthew; (3) that Cheryl be prohibited from interfering with his business; and (4) that nominal support be awarded [Cheryl for Matthew] as soon as he was able to support his family. The trial which Walter did not attend and at which he was not represented was held January 21, 1980. Walter now asserts that counsel should have been appointed for him and that it was improper for the court to ask him to list his wife's assets and debts. On appeal, counsel for Walter asserts that all a party under the Uniform Parentage Act need do is assert that he is financially unable to obtain counsel and then the burden shifts to the court to either prove that the party has assets or appoint counsel for the party. Such an assertion is without merit. Determination of financial inability is a question of fact. State v. Jensen, 241 N.W.2d 557, 561 (N.D.1976). (While Jensen refers to standards for appointment of counsel in a criminal case, not a civil case, it is a helpful reference for determination of appointment of counsel under the Uniform Parentage Act, as no more should be required under the latter than in a criminal case where one's personal freedom is at stake.) Walter was asked to divulge his present financial status, but he failed to do so. This case had been before the court for two and a half years. In prior hearings, there was testimony received that Walter had income of $100,000 in 1971 and 1972, and $60,000 in 1973; that Walter had lived in a house which was sold for $260,000 in California; that he purchased an $85,000 house in Fargo for cash; and that during the same time period he purchased a condominium in Grand Forks. The court was also informed that Walter owned valuable possessions including a diamond ring, a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, and a Steinway Grand Piano worth $25,000 to $30,000. Additionally, prior to Walter's request for appointment of counsel, the court learned that Walter had earned a real estate commission of $29,000 in 1979. The court was not required to ignore these facts regarding Walter's financial situation when determining whether or not to appoint counsel. Therefore, as those facts related to the past, it was not improper for the court to request a listing of Walter's assets and liabilities. Having failed to comply with the court's request, Walter cannot now complain about the lack of counsel. Walter also contends that it was error for the court to require a listing of his wife's assets and liabilities in addition to his own. He relies on State v. Jensen, 241 N.W.2d 557 (N.D.1976), which contains an appendix regarding appointment of counsel in criminal cases. Paragraph four of this appendix states that in a criminal case, the initial determination for appointment of counsel shall be made without regard to family resources. In this case, however, Walter had been found to have transferred his interest in the family home in Fargo to his wife in violation of a temporary restraining order. Walter contended that it was his wife's money which had been used in purchasing the house, that his name was only listed as joint tenant, and that the transfer had no effect on his real assets. The court, however, determined otherwise and ordered him to either regain his interest in the home or post a $10,000 certificate of deposit with the clerk of court. Walter posted the $10,000 certificate of deposit. Under these circumstances, the court's request for financial information concerning Walter's wife was proper. Even the criminal standards set forth in State v. Jensen, supra, 241 N.W.2d at 561-62, require that any information bearing on the defendant's financial status should be furnished by him. In an action under the Uniform Parentage Act, a party seeking appointment of counsel should be entitled to no more consideration than a defendant in a criminal case. When Walter declined to provide the requested information, he waived any right he may otherwise have had to appointment of counsel.