ORS 135.050
Eligibility for court-appointed counsel

  • financial statement
  • termination
  • civil liability

(1)

Suitable counsel for a defendant shall be appointed by a municipal, county or justice court if:

(a)

The defendant is before a court on a matter described in subsection (5) of this section;

(b)

The defendant requests aid of counsel;

(c)

The defendant provides to the court a written and verified financial statement; and

(d)

It appears to the court that the defendant is financially unable to retain adequate representation without substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the defendant or the defendant’s dependent family.

(2)

Suitable counsel for a defendant shall be appointed by a circuit court if:

(a)

The defendant is before the court on a matter described in subsection (5) of this section;

(b)

The defendant requests aid of counsel;

(c)

The defendant provides to the court a written and verified financial statement; and

(d)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

The defendant is determined to be financially eligible under ORS 151.485 (Financial eligibility) and the standards established by the Public Defense Services Commission under ORS 151.216 (Duties); or

(B)

The court finds, on the record, substantial and compelling reasons why the defendant is financially unable to retain adequate representation without substantial hardship in providing basic economic necessities to the defendant or the defendant’s dependent family despite the fact that the defendant does not meet the financial eligibility standards established by the commission.

(3)

Appointed counsel may not be denied to any defendant merely because the defendant’s friends or relatives have resources adequate to retain counsel or because the defendant has deposited or is capable of depositing security for release. However, appointed counsel may be denied to a defendant if the defendant’s spouse has adequate resources which the court determines should be made available to retain counsel.

(4)

The defendant’s financial statement under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall include, but not be limited to:

(a)

A list of bank accounts in the name of defendant or defendant’s spouse, and the balance in each;

(b)

A list of defendant’s interests in real property and those of defendant’s spouse;

(c)

A list of automobiles and other personal property of significant value belonging to defendant or defendant’s spouse;

(d)

A list of debts in the name of defendant or defendant’s spouse, and the total of each; and

(e)

A record of earnings and other sources of income in the name of defendant or defendant’s spouse, and the total of each.

(5)

Counsel must be appointed for a defendant who meets the requirements of subsection (1) or (2) of this section and who is before a court on any of the following matters:

(a)

Charged with a crime.

(b)

For a hearing to determine whether an enhanced sentence should be imposed when such proceedings may result in the imposition of a felony sentence.

(c)

For extradition proceedings under the provisions of the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act.

(d)

For any proceeding concerning an order of probation, including but not limited to the revoking or amending thereof.

(6)

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the appointment of counsel under this section shall continue during all criminal proceedings resulting from the defendant’s arrest through acquittal or the imposition of punishment. The court having jurisdiction of the case may not substitute one appointed counsel for another except pursuant to the policies, procedures, standards and guidelines of the Public Defense Services Commission under ORS 151.216 (Duties).

(7)

If, at any time after the appointment of counsel, the court having jurisdiction of the case finds that the defendant is financially able to obtain counsel, the court may terminate the appointment of counsel. If, at any time during criminal proceedings, the court having jurisdiction of the case finds that the defendant is financially unable to pay counsel whom the defendant has retained, the court may appoint counsel as provided in this section.

(8)

The court may order the defendant in a circuit court to pay to the Public Defense Services Account established by ORS 151.225 (Public Defense Services Account), through the clerk of the court, in full or in part the administrative costs of determining the eligibility of the defendant for appointed counsel and the costs of the legal and other services that are related to the provision of appointed counsel under ORS 151.487 (Ability to pay).

(9)

In addition to any criminal prosecution, a civil proceeding may be initiated by any public body which has expended moneys for the defendant’s legal assistance within two years of judgment if the defendant was not qualified in accordance with subsection (1) or (2) of this section for legal assistance.

(10)

The civil proceeding shall be subject to the exemptions from execution as provided for by law.

(11)

As used in this section unless the context requires otherwise, “counsel” includes a legal advisor appointed under ORS 135.045 (Court appointment of counsel). [Formerly 133.625; 1981 c.3 §118; 1985 c.710 §1; 1989 c.1053 §1b; 1997 c.761 §8; 2001 c.472 §4; 2001 c.962 §25; 2003 c.449 §49; 2012 c.107 §41]

Source: Section 135.050 — Eligibility for court-appointed counsel; financial statement; termination; civil liability, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors135.­html.

See also annotations under ORS 133.625 in permanent edition.

Notes of Decisions

The Oregon recoupment scheme does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Fuller v. Oregon, 417 US 40, 40 L Ed 2d 642, 94 S Ct 2116 (1973)

Where indigent defendant was provided witness fees to insure testimony of out-of-state psychiatrist who had examined him, denial of his motion for appointment of additional psychiatrist was not violation of constitutional due process. State v. Glover, 33 Or App 553, 577 P2d 91 (1978)

Under this section, interests of justice did not require substitution of another appointed counsel for public defender where defendant rejected public defender because public defender represented all criminal defendants and allegedly would not have time to devote to his case. State v. Reid, 36 Or App 417, 585 P2d 411 (1978)

Under this section, appointment of counsel in extradition cases continues through appellate stages within this state. State ex rel Roby v. Mason, 284 Or 427, 587 P2d 94 (1978)

Where financial statement revealed that defendant had $750 in salable assets, no outstanding debts and no disabilities which would prevent him from obtaining work, it was not error for court to conclude that defendant had sufficient means to obtain counsel without undue hardship. State v. Gordon, 43 Or App 511, 603 P2d 511 (1979), Sup Ct review denied

Where, on hearing of motion for removal of appointed counsel, counsel stated he had researched case, was familiar with the evidence and was pursuing defendant’s best interests, record supported trial court’s finding that it was not in best interest of justice to appoint new counsel under this section. State v. Williams, 43 Or App 949, 607 P2d 740 (1979)

Where trial court was confronted with choice of either continuing trial for two months or replacing defendant’s attorney, both over defendant’s objection, substitution of attorney was required in interest of justice. State v. White, 53 Or App 856, 632 P2d 1363 (1981)

Where case against defendant was 20 months old and had already been postponed four times and defendant had been advised by four attorneys and thought himself more competent than any of them and waived his right to assistance of counsel, trial court did not err in not appointing another counsel. State v. Pagan, 80 Or App 65, 721 P2d 859 (1986), Sup Ct review denied

This section, interpreted in light of Article I, section 11 of Oregon Constitution, requires that indigent defendant who requests counsel have aid of court-appointed counsel in DUII diversion termination hearing. State v. Vest, 88 Or App 101, 744 P2d 288 (1987)

Court erred in denying defendant’s request for counsel solely on basis of defendant’s failure to list his income on affidavit of indigency, and should have made further inquiry based on attached note concerning defendant’s bankruptcy filing. State v. Foster, 95 Or App 452, 769 P2d 790 (1989)

Record was insufficient to support trial court’s denial of court-appointed counsel where only information in record concerning defendant’s financial condition indicated he had no income and that his liabilities exceeded his assets. State v. Freeman, 96 Or App 70, 771 P2d 304 (1989)

Where defendant became dissatisfied with counsel’s strategy, trial court did not abuse discretion by denying defendant’s motion for substitution of counsel. State v. Langley, 314 Or 247, 839 P2d 692 (1992), on reconsideration 318 Or 28, 861 P2d 1012 (1993)

Attorney General Opinions

Appointment of counsel for defendant, (1974) Vol 36, p 1038

Law Review Citations

53 OLR 426 (1974); 11 WLJ 288, 289 (1975)

135.010
Time and place
135.020
Scope of proceedings
135.030
When presence of defendant is required
135.035
Bringing in defendant not yet arrested or held to answer
135.037
Omnibus hearing
135.040
Right to counsel
135.045
Court appointment of counsel
135.050
Eligibility for court-appointed counsel
135.055
Compensation and expenses of appointed counsel
135.060
Informing defendant as to use of name in accusatory instrument
135.065
Name used in further proceedings
135.067
Effect of failure to provide true name of defendant on certain types of release
135.070
Informing defendant as to charge, right to counsel, use of statement and preliminary hearing
135.073
Statement by defendant when not advised of rights
135.075
Obtaining counsel
135.085
Subpoenaing witnesses
135.090
Examination of adverse witnesses
135.095
Right of defendant to make or waive making a statement
135.100
Statement of defendant
135.105
Use of statement before grand jury or on trial
135.115
Waiver of right to make statement
135.125
Examination of defendant’s witnesses
135.135
Exclusion of witnesses during examination of others
135.139
Notice of availability of testing for HIV and other communicable diseases to person charged with crime
135.145
Testimony of witnesses
135.155
Retention of record and statements by magistrate
135.165
Counsel for complainant
135.173
Oregon Evidence Code to apply in preliminary hearings
135.175
Discharge
135.185
Holding defendant to answer
135.195
Commitment
135.205
Indorsement in certain cases
135.215
Direction to sheriff
135.225
Forwarding of papers by magistrate
135.230
Definitions for ORS 135.230 to 135.290
135.233
Standing pretrial release orders
135.235
Release assistance officers
135.240
Releasable offenses
135.242
Security release for certain methamphetamine offenses
135.245
Release decision
135.246
Release conditions related to medical use of cannabis
135.247
Order prohibiting contact with victim of sex crime or domestic violence
135.250
General conditions of release agreement
135.253
Waiver of appearance at trial as release condition prohibited
135.255
Release agreement
135.260
Conditional release
135.265
Security release
135.270
Taking of security
135.275
Seizure of security by law enforcement agency
135.280
Arrest warrant
135.285
Modification of release decision
135.290
Punishment by contempt of court
135.295
Application of ORS 135.230 to 135.290 to certain traffic offenses
135.305
Types of answer
135.315
Types of pleading
135.325
Pleading a judgment
135.335
Pleading by defendant
135.345
Legal effect of plea of no contest
135.355
Presentation of plea
135.360
Special provisions relating to presentation of plea of guilty or no contest
135.365
Withdrawal of plea of guilty or no contest
135.370
Not guilty plea as denial of allegations of accusatory instrument
135.375
Pleading to offenses in other counties
135.380
Time of entering plea
135.385
Defendant to be advised by court
135.390
Determining voluntariness of plea
135.395
Determining accuracy of plea
135.405
Plea discussions and plea agreements
135.407
Plea agreement must contain defendant’s criminal history classification
135.415
Criteria to be considered in plea discussions and plea agreements
135.418
Prohibited plea agreement provisions
135.425
Responsibilities of defense counsel
135.432
Judge involvement in plea discussions
135.435
Discussion and agreement not admissible
135.445
Withdrawn plea or statement not admissible
135.455
Notice prior to trial of intention to rely on alibi evidence
135.465
Defect in accusatory instrument as affecting acquittal on merits
135.470
Motion to dismiss accusatory instrument on grounds of former jeopardy
135.510
Grounds for motion to set aside the indictment
135.520
Time of making motion
135.530
Effect of allowance of motion
135.540
Effect of resubmission of case
135.560
Order to set aside is no bar to future prosecution
135.610
Demurrer
135.630
Grounds of demurrer
135.640
When objections that are grounds for demurrer may be taken
135.650
Hearing of objections specified by demurrer
135.660
Judgment on demurrer
135.670
Allowance of demurrer
135.680
Procedure if resubmission of case not allowed
135.690
Resubmission of case
135.700
Disallowance of demurrer
135.703
Crimes subject to being compromised
135.705
Satisfaction of injured person
135.707
Discharge as bar to prosecution
135.709
Exclusiveness of procedure
135.711
Facts constituting crime or subcategory of crime required
135.713
Necessity of stating presumptions of law and matters judicially noticed
135.715
Effect of nonprejudicial defects in form of accusatory instrument
135.717
Time of crime
135.720
Place of crime in certain cases
135.725
Person injured or intended to be injured
135.727
Description of animal
135.730
Judgments
135.733
Defamation
135.735
Forgery
135.737
Perjury
135.740
Construction of words and phrases used
135.743
Fictitious or erroneous name
135.745
Delay in finding an indictment or filing an information
135.746
Time period within which trial must commence
135.748
Periods of time excluded from time limits
135.750
Where there is reason for delay
135.752
When trial not commenced within time limit
135.753
Effect of dismissal
135.755
Dismissal on motion of court or district attorney
135.757
Nolle prosequi
135.760
Notice requesting early trial on pending charge
135.763
Trial within 90 days of notice unless continuance granted
135.765
Dismissal of criminal proceeding not brought to trial within allowed time
135.767
Presence of prisoner at proceedings
135.770
Release of prisoner prohibited
135.773
District attorney to furnish certain documents
135.775
Agreement on Detainers
135.777
Definition for ORS 135.775
135.779
Enforcement of ORS 135.775 by public agencies
135.783
Effect of escape from custody in another state
135.785
Surrender of custody under ORS 135.775
135.787
Administrator of agreement
135.789
Notice of request for temporary custody
135.791
Request for final disposition of detainer from prisoner in another state
135.793
Procedure where untried instrument pending against prisoner in another state
135.805
Applicability
135.815
Disclosure to defendant
135.825
Other disclosure to defense
135.835
Disclosure to the state
135.845
Time of disclosure
135.855
Material and information not subject to discovery
135.857
Disclosure to victim
135.865
Effect of failure to comply with discovery requirements
135.873
Protective orders
135.881
Definitions for ORS 135.881 to 135.901
135.886
Requirements for diversion
135.891
Conditions of diversion agreement
135.893
Diversion conditions related to medical use of cannabis
135.896
Stay of criminal proceedings during period of agreement
135.898
Diversion agreement involving servicemember charged with domestic violence
135.901
Effect of compliance or noncompliance with agreement
135.925
Bad check diversion program
135.941
Early disposition programs
135.942
Purposes of program
135.943
Provisions of program
135.948
Availability to probationers
135.949
Other programs authorized
135.951
Authorization
135.953
How mediation may be used
135.955
Notifying victims and person charged with crime of mediation opportunities
135.957
Application of ORS 36.220 to 36.238 to mediation of criminal offenses
135.959
Authority to contract with dispute resolution programs
135.970
Information required when victim contacted by defense
135.973
Medication use by specialty court entrant
135.980
Rehabilitative programs directory
135.983
Court inquiry into defendant’s immigration status prohibited
135.985
Procedure when defendant is servicemember
135.990
Penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date