HB658:

Juveniles; appointment of counsel, indigency.

Bill Summary:

Juveniles; appointment of counsel; indigency.
Removes provisions stating that when the court appoints counsel to
represent a child in a detention hearing or in a case involving a
child who is alleged to be in need of services, in need of supervision,
or delinquent and, after an investigation by the court services unit,
finds that the parents are financially able to pay for such attorney
in whole or in part and refuse to do so, the court shall assess costs
against the parents for such legal services in the amount awarded
the attorney by the court, not to exceed $100 if the action is in
circuit court or the maximum amount specified for court-appointed
counsel appearing in district court. The bill also removes provisions
requiring that before counsel is appointed in any case involving
a child who is alleged to be in need of services, in need of supervision,
or delinquent, the court determine that the child is indigent. The
bill provides that for the purposes of appointment of counsel for
a delinquency proceeding, a child shall be considered indigent.