Opinion ID: 2601941
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Indigent Defense Act

Text: ¶ 15 The Indigent Defense Act requires that legal counsel be provided for each indigent who faces the substantial probability of the deprivation of the indigent's liberty. Utah Code Ann. § 77-32-301(1) (2003). For the constitutional reasons explained below, we agree with Ford that the State's appeal after Ford received post-conviction relief created a substantial probability of the deprivation of [Ford's] liberty. We also agree with Ford that the Post Conviction Remedies Act does not conflict with the Indigent Defense Act. Cf. Utah Code Ann. § 78B-9-109 (2008), with Utah Code Ann. § 77-32-301(1) (2003). The Post Conviction Remedies Act provides that a court may appoint counsel on a pro bono basis to represent defendants on post-conviction petitions for relief. Id. § 78B-9-109(1). The Act indicates such appointment should occur at the request of the petitioner, and where an evidentiary hearing would be required or the petition involves complicated issues of law or fact that require the assistance of counsel for proper adjudication. Id. § 78B-9-109(2). Ford is no longer petitioning for post-conviction relief. He has already been granted such relief. Ford is now defending his grant of post-conviction relief against the State's appeal. Ford is defending his liberty interest and is therefore entitled to counsel under the Indigent Defense Act.