§ 12-15-9 - Eligibility for assistance. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 12-15-9

   § 12-15-9  Eligibility for assistance.– Every person who seeks the services of the office of the public defender underthis chapter must make affidavit under oath that, after payment of necessaryexpenses for food, shelter and medical care, he or she does not have sufficientincome or assets to enable him or her to retain counsel, nor is there any oneto whom he or she is entitled to look for support who has that income orassets. The public defender, on his or her own instigation or at the request ofa referring court, may require a further financial statement, may requirerelevant documents, and may conduct any investigation he or she deemsappropriate. If the public defender, after examination and investigation of thefinancial statement, is satisfied that the person submitting it is an indigentdefendant, the public defender or one of his or her assistants shall defend theperson; provided, that if the public defender is satisfied that the person isnot an indigent defendant, he or she shall notify the court which referred theperson to the public defender's office of the determination that the person isnot an indigent defendant.