October 30, 2015

STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. A.L. A-4429-13T2

STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. A.L. 
A-4429-13T2 

In this case of first impression, we determine the procedures that should be used to review the indigency status of a defendant who has been convicted of a crime and who requests the services of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to file an appeal on her behalf. During the pendency of defendant's appeal from her conviction, the State filed a motion with the trial court, rather than this court, seeking to prohibit the OPD from continuing to represent defendant in the appeal based upon its assertion that defendant was not indigent. We conclude that, pursuant to the clear language of Rule 2:9-1(a), this motion should have been filed with the Appellate Division in the first instance. 

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