Iowa Code r. 493-10.5 - Evaluation of affidavit of financial status

In determining whether counsel should be appointed to represent the applicant, the court should consider the following:

(1) Family size. The total size of the applicant's household shall be used to determine eligibility for appointed counsel.

(2) Household income. The applicant's income, or the combined income of the applicant and the applicant's spouse if they are living in the same residence, shall be used in determining an applicant's household income, subject to the following:

a. The income of the applicant's spouse shall not be considered if the spouse is the alleged victim of the offense charged.

b. The income of a child shall not be considered unless the child is requesting representation in a delinquency case or unless the child is under a conservatorship or is the beneficiary of trust proceeds.

c. In a juvenile proceeding, the income of both parents shall be considered in determining whether the child is entitled to appointed counsel. If a child's parents are divorced, the household income of each parent shall be considered separately.

(3) DHHS poverty income guidelines. The applicant's family size and household income shall be compared to the DHHS poverty income guidelines to determine whether the applicant's household income is 125 percent or less of the poverty level; between 125 percent and 200 percent of the poverty level; or 200 percent or greater of the poverty level.

(4) Income 125 percent or less of the poverty level. If the applicant's household income is 125 percent or less of the poverty level, the applicant is entitled to appointed counsel unless the court determines that the applicant is able to pay for the cost of an attorney to represent the applicant on the pending charge. In determining whether the applicant is able to pay for the cost of an attorney, the court should consider not only the applicant's income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution and the seriousness of the charge.

(5) Income between 125 percent and 200 percent of the poverty level. If the applicant's household income is greater than 125 percent, but less than 200 percent of the poverty level, the applicant is not entitled to appointed counsel unless the court determines and makes a written finding that not appointing counsel on the pending charge would cause the applicant substantial financial hardship. In determining whether substantial financial hardship would result, the court should consider not only the applicant's income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution and the seriousness of the charge.

(6) Income 200 percent or greater of the poverty level. If the applicant's household income is 200 percent or greater of the poverty level, the applicant is not entitled to appointed counsel unless the applicant is charged with a felony and the court determines and makes a written finding that not appointing counsel on the pending charge would cause the applicant substantial financial hardship. In determining whether substantial financial hardship would result, the court should consider not only the applicant's income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution and the seriousness of the charge.

(7) Applicability to juvenile cases. In evaluating whether to appoint counsel for a parent in a juvenile proceeding, the court shall consider not only the applicant's income, but also the availability of any assets subject to execution and the nature of the proceeding in determining whether the parent is financially unable to employ counsel.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 493-10.5