2001 Minnesota Statutes

     611.17 Financial inquiry; statements. 

    (a) Each judicial district must screen requests under 
 paragraph (b).  

    (b) Upon a request for the appointment of counsel, the 
 court shall make appropriate inquiry into the financial 
 circumstances of the applicant, who shall submit a financial 
 statement under oath or affirmation setting forth the 
 applicant's assets and liabilities, including the value of any 
 real property owned by the applicant, whether homestead or 
 otherwise, less the amount of any encumbrances on the real 
 property, the source or sources of income, and any other 
 information required by the court.  The applicant shall be under 
 a continuing duty while represented by a public defender to 
 disclose any changes in the applicant's financial circumstances 
 that might be relevant to the applicant's eligibility for a 
 public defender.  The state public defender shall furnish 
 appropriate forms for the financial statements.  The forms must 
 contain conspicuous notice of the applicant's continuing duty to 
 disclose to the court changes in the applicant's financial 
 circumstances.  The information contained in the statement shall 
 be confidential and for the exclusive use of the court and the 
 public defender appointed by the court to represent the 
 applicant except for any prosecution under section 609.48.  A 
 refusal to execute the financial statement or produce financial 
 records constitutes a waiver of the right to the appointment of 
 a public defender. 

    HIST: 1965 c 869 s 4; 1983 c 359 s 91; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 335 
 art 1 s 260; 1991 c 345 art 3 s 3; 1993 c 146 art 2 s 19; 1994 c 
 636 art 11 s 3; 1995 c 226 art 2 s 24