District Local Rule Crim 44.1 (Criminal)
Print PDF

RIGHT TO AND APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(a)  Right to and Appointment of Counsel. Attorneys may be appointed for indigent parties in a criminal proceeding including pretrial diversion and parole revocation hearings. If a defendant, appearing without counsel in a criminal proceeding, desires to obtain his or her own counsel, a reasonable continuance for arraignment shall be granted for that purpose. If the defendant requests appointment of counsel by the Court or fails for an unreasonable time to appear with his or her own counsel, the assigned judge or magistrate judge shall, subject to the applicable financial eligibility requirements, appoint counsel unless the defendant advises the Court that he or she wishes to represent himself pro se. Any financial affidavit submitted with the application for appointment of counsel shall be sealed by the Clerk.

If a defendant desires to represent himself and proceed without counsel, he or she shall sign and file a written waiver of right to counsel. The district judge or magistrate judge may nevertheless designate counsel to advise and assist the defendant to the extent defendant might thereafter desire. Appointment of counsel shall be made in accordance with the plan of this Court adopted pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act of 1964 and on file with the Clerk.

(b)  Appearance and Withdrawal of Counsel. An attorney who has appeared for a defendant may thereafter withdraw only upon notice to the defendant and all parties to the case and after order of the Court finding good cause exists and granting leave to withdraw. Failure of a defendant to pay agreed compensation shall not alone be deemed sufficient cause.

Unless such leave is granted, the attorney shall continue to represent the defendant until the case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted. In the event the defendant is convicted, unless leave is granted, the attorney shall continue to represent the defendant until the time for making post-trial motions and for filing notice of appeal, as specified in Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(b), has expired. If an appeal is taken, the attorney shall continue to serve until leave to withdraw is granted by any competent Court.

(c)  Pro Hac Vice/Local Counsel. An attorney eligible for admission under Dist. Idaho Loc. Civ. R. 83.4(a), and who is a member in good standing and eligible to practice before the bar of any United States Court or of the highest court of any state or of any territory or insular possession of the United States, who is of good moral character and who has been retained to appear in this Court, may, upon written application and in the discretion of the Court, be permitted to appear and participate in a particular case, and no certificate of admission shall be issued by the Clerk of Court.

The pro hac vice application shall be presented to the Clerk of Court and shall state under penalty of perjury (1) the attorney’s residence and office addresses, (2) by what court(s) the attorney has been admitted to practice and the date(s) of admission, (3) that the attorney is in good standing and eligible to practice in said court(s), and (4) that the attorney is not currently suspended or disbarred in any other court(s). The attorney shall also (1) designate an active member of the bar of this Court as Local Counsel with the authority to act as attorney of record for all purposes and with whom the Court and opposing counsel may readily communicate regarding the conduct of the case, and (2) file with such designation the address, telephone number, and written consent of designated local counsel.

Attorneys not admitted to the bar of this Court who, upon the filing of a verified petition for permission to practice in an individual case, are admitted under the conditions prescribed in Dist. Idaho Loc. Civ. R. 83.4(e), and shall be required to pay the proscribed fee for each such pro hac vice application filed.

Attorneys not admitted to the bar of this Court who, upon the filing of a verified petition for permission to practice in an individual case, are admitted under the conditions prescribed in Dist. Idaho Loc. Civ. R. 83.4(e), and shall be required to pay a fee in accordance with the General Orders of this Court for each such pro hac vice application so filed.

The designated local counsel shall personally appear with the attorney on all matters heard and tried before this Court unless such presence is excused by the Court. Original proceedings may be filed by an attorney before admission pro hac vice, but the time for the responsive pleading shall not begin to run until the appearance of associated local counsel is filed with the Clerk of Court.


RELATED AUTHORITY

Fed. R. Crim. P. 44