This law outlines the procedures for court interrogation of indigent defendants, including filing statements, advising of penalties for false statements, and handling changes in indigency status. It also details the investigation responsibilities of the Commonwealth's attorney to verify indigency claims. The law ensures proper legal representation and investigation processes throughout the case.
Virginia law requires courts to thoroughly interrogate indigent defendants, advise them of penalties for false statements, and file their indigency statements with case papers.
If a defendant's circumstances change and they are no longer indigent, they must obtain private counsel and inform the court, which may grant a continuance for legal arrangements.
The attorney for the Commonwealth must investigate the indigency claim upon court request, and can delegate this task to qualified agencies or personnel.
The investigation report is reduced to writing and forwarded to the court within 14 days, and it is then included with the case papers for review.