Alabama § 15-12-20 Matters to Be Ascertained by Trial Judges as to Representation of Defendants Prior to Arraignment

Alabama Statutes

§ 15-12-20 — Matters to Be Ascertained by Trial Judges as to Representation of Defendants Prior to Arraignment

Alabama § 15-12-20

Title 15Criminal Procedure

Ch. 12Defense of Indigents

Art. 2Appointed Counsel

This text of Alabama § 15-12-20 (Matters to Be Ascertained by Trial Judges as to Representation of Defendants Prior to Arraignment) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Ala. Code § 15-12-20 (2026).

Text

In all criminal cases, including paternity cases, and civil and criminal nonsupport cases which may result in the jailing of the defendant, in any court of this state created by authority of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, when a defendant is entitled to counsel as provided by law, the trial judge shall before arraignment ascertain from the accused, or otherwise:

(1)Whether or not the defendant has arranged to be represented by counsel;

(2)Whether or not the defendant desires the assistance of counsel; and

(3)Whether or not the defendant is able financially or otherwise to obtain the assistance of counsel in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Office of Indigent Defense Services.

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In all criminal cases, including paternity cases, and civil and criminal nonsupport cases which may result in the jailing of the defendant, in any court of this state created by authority of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, when a defendant is entitled to counsel as provided by law, the trial judge shall before arraignment ascertain from the accused, or otherwise:
(1) Whether or not the defendant has arranged to be represented by counsel;
(2) Whether or not the defendant desires the assistance of counsel; and
(3) Whether or not the defendant is able financially or otherwise to obtain the assistance of counsel in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Office of Indigent Defense Services.

Legislative History

(Acts 1963, No. 526, p. 1136, §1; Acts 1971, No. 2420, p. 3851; Acts 1975, No. 1205, §9-108; Acts 1984, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 84-793, p. 198, §1; Act 2011-678, p. 1862, §6.)