H.B. 290

1

AFFIDAVIT OF IMPECUNIOSITY
2 AMENDMENTS
3 2002 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: John E. Swallow
6 This act modifies a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure concerning indigent
7 defendants. The act requires that defendants claiming indigency inform the court of any
8 changes in circumstances that affect their indigency. The act also makes it a class B
9 misdemeanor to make false statements on an affidavit of impecuniosity.
10 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
11 AMENDS:
12 77-32-202, as last amended by Chapter 171, Laws of Utah 1998
13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
14 Section 1. Section 77-32-202 is amended to read:
15 77-32-202. Procedure for determination of indigency -- Standards.
16 (1) A determination of indigency or continuing indigency of any defendant may be made
17 by the court at any stage of the proceedings.
18 (2) (a) Any defendant claiming indigency who is charged with a crime the penalty of which
19 is a class A misdemeanor or felony shall file with the court a fully complete affidavit verified by
20 a notary or other person authorized by law to administer an oath and file a copy of that affidavit
21 with the prosecuting entity. The affidavit shall contain the factual information required in this
22 section and by the court.
23 (b) A defendant claiming indigency who is charged with a crime the penalty of which is
24 less than a class A misdemeanor is not required to comply with the requirements of Subsection
25 (2)(a) and Subsection (4).
26 (3) (a) "Indigency" means that a person:
27 (i) does not have sufficient income, assets, credit, or other means to provide for the

28 payment of legal counsel and all other necessary expenses of representation without depriving that
29 person or the family of that person of food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities; or
30 (ii) has an income level at or below 150% of the United States poverty level as defined by
31 the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States Department
32 of Health and Human Services; and
33 (iii) has not transferred or otherwise disposed of any assets since the commission of the
34 offense with the intent of establishing eligibility for the appointment of counsel under this chapter.
35 (b) In making a determination of indigency, the court shall consider:
36 (i) the probable expense and burden of defending the case;
37 (ii) the ownership of, or any interest in, any tangible or intangible personal property or real
38 property, or reasonable expectancy of any such interest;
39 (iii) the amounts of debts owned by the defendant or that might reasonably be incurred by
40 the defendant because of illness or other needs within the defendant's family;
41 (iv) number, ages, and relationships of any dependents; and
42 (v) other relevant factors.
43 (4) Upon making a finding of indigence, the court shall enter the findings on the record
44 and enter an order assigning defense counsel to represent the defendant in the case. The clerk of
45 the court shall send a copy of the affidavit and order to the prosecutor.
46 (5) If the county or municipality providing the defense counsel has any objections to or
47 concerns with the finding of indigency and assignment of defense counsel or the continuing of
48 indigency status and assignment of a public defender, it shall file notice with the court and a
49 hearing shall be scheduled to review the findings and give the county or municipality the
50 opportunity to present evidence and arguments as to the reasons the finding of indigency should
51 be reversed.
52 (6) (a) If the trial court finds within one year after the determination of indigency that any
53 defendant was erroneously or improperly determined to be indigent, the county or municipality
54 may proceed against that defendant for the reasonable value of the services rendered to the
55 defendant, including all costs paid by the county or municipality in providing the defense counsel.
56 (b) Subsection (6)(a) does not affect any restitution required of the defendant by the court
57 pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 32a, Defense Costs.
58 (c) A defendant claiming indigency has a continuing duty to inform the court of any

59 material changes or change in circumstances that may affect the determination of his eligibility for
60 indigency.
61 (d) Any person who intentionally or knowingly makes a material false statement or omits
62 a material fact in an affidavit for indigency is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-28-02 9:54 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel