§ 15:176 — Partial reimbursement by indigents

§176. Partial reimbursement by indigents
A. To the extent that a person is financially able to provide for an attorney, other
necessary services, and facilities of representation and court costs, the court shall order him
to pay for these items. The court may order payment in installments, or in any manner which
it believes reasonable and compatible with the defendant's financial ability.
B.(1) Payments so made shall be transmitted to and become a part of the indigent
defender fund of the district in which the person is prosecuted.
(2) The district public defender, or service region, where applicable, shall have the
authority to recoup funds expended under this Section through the refund offset provisions
pursuant to R.S. 47:299.1 through 299.20.
C.(1) When an accused is initially determined to be indigent and appointed counsel
but subsequently hires private counsel, the court shall conduct a contradictory hearing to
determine the expenses of representing the accused incurred by the office of the district
public defender or the service region, where applicable. Upon determining the expenses
incurred, the accused shall, within the discretion of the court, be liable to reimburse the office
of the district public defender or service region, where applicable, those expenses, upon a
determination that the accused was in fact not initially indigent. A judgment for the amount
owed may be recorded in the mortgage records in favor of the board for the payment of
money against the accused and may be enforced as provided by law.
(2) All funds received by the office of the district public defender shall be deposited
into the judicial district indigent defender fund as provided for in R.S. 15:168.
(3) Failure of the accused to disclose the full amount involved in the hiring shall
constitute grounds for contempt of court.

Legislative History

Acts 2007, No. 307, §1; Acts 2024, No. 528, §1, eff. June 10, 2024.