Derechos y obligaciones sobre la defensa pública en Minnesota

Explicación Simple

Si no puedes pagar un abogado, puedes pedir uno que el gobierno te dé. Pero necesitas demostrar que realmente no tienes dinero para pagar. Si no lo haces, no te darán un abogado.

Es como cuando quieres jugar en un equipo de fútbol, pero necesitas demostrar que no tienes tus propios zapatos. Si no muestras que no puedes comprarlos, no te dejarán jugar con el equipo.

Ejemplo Práctico

Juan fue arrestado y no puede pagar un abogado. Intenta solicitar un defensor público, pero no llena el formulario que pide información sobre sus finanzas. Como no mostró que no tiene dinero, el juez decide que no puede tener un defensor público y debe buscar un abogado privado.

Penalidades

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Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

ed under paragraph (c). The information contained in the statement shall be confidential and for the exclusive use of the court and the public defender except for any prosecution under section609.48. A refusal to execute the financial statement or produce financial records constitutes a waiver of the right to the appointment of a public defender. The court shall not appoint a public defender to a defendant who is financially able to retain private counsel but refuses to do so, refuses to execute the financial statement or refuses to provide information necessary to determine financial eligibility under this section, or waives the appointment of a public defender under section611.19. An inquiry to determine financial eligibility of a defendant for the appointment of the district public defender shall be made whenever possible prior to the court appearance and by such persons as the court may direct. This inquiry may be combined with the prerelease investigation provided for in Minnesota Rule of Criminal Procedure6.02, subdivision 3. In no case shall the district public defender be required to perform this inquiry or investigate the defendant's assets or eligibility. The court has the sole duty to conduct a financial inquiry. The inquiry must include the following: (1) the liquidity of real estate assets, including the defendant's homestead; (2) any assets that can be readily converted to cash or used to secure a debt; (3) the determination of whether the transfer of an asset is voidable as a fraudulent conveyance; and (4) the value of all property transfers occurring on or after the date of the alleged offense or notice of the action. The burden is on the accused to show that the accused is financially unable to afford counsel. Defendants who fail to provide informa