Opinion ID: 2124512
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Standards for Eligibility

Text: A person is indigent within the meaning of Rule 44, N.D.R.Crim.P., if his net financial resources and income are insufficient to enable him to obtain qualified counsel. In determining whether such insufficiency exists, consideration should be given to (a) the cost of providing the person and his dependents with the necessities of life, and (b) the cost of a defendant's bail bond if financial conditions are imposed, or the amount of the cash deposit defendant is required to make to secure his release on bond. Any doubts as to a person's eligibility should be resolved in his favor; erroneous determinations of eligibility may be corrected at a later time. At the time of determining eligibility, the judge or other officer should inform the person of the penalties for making false statements, and of his obligation to inform the court and his attorney of any change in his financial status.