2017 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 7 - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 6 - PUBLIC DEFENDER
SECTION 7-6-109 - Appointment of outside attorney.
7-6-109. Appointment of outside attorney.
(a) Nothing in this act shall prevent a court on its own motion or upon application by the state public defender or by the individual defendant, from appointing an attorney other than the public defender to represent the defendant or to assist in the representation of the defendant at any stage of the proceedings or on appeal.
(b) If a court assigns an attorney to represent a needy person, it may recommend a reasonable rate of compensation for his services and shall determine the direct expenses for which he should be reimbursed. The state public defender shall consider the court's recommendation and the customary compensation as prescribed by the standard fee schedule promulgated pursuant to W.S. 7-6-103(c)(vi), and shall pay the appointed attorney for his services when the case for which he was appointed is concluded.
(c) An attorney appointed under subsection (b) of this section shall be compensated for his services with regard to the complexity of the issues, the time involved, prevailing local fees of attorneys, the amount reasonably necessary to provide a defense as is required by constitutional process and other relevant considerations as determined by the court.
(d) If a defendant initially retains counsel and then requests the provision of counsel or any other defense services, including but not limited to mental evaluations, expert witnesses and witness travel expenses, the court shall make a determination whether the defendant is a "needy person" under this act, subject to the following:
(i) The procedures set forth in W.S. 7-6-106 shall be followed;
(ii) The court shall make the findings required by W.S. 7-6-106 and rule 44 of the Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure;
(iii) The defendant shall complete an affidavit or otherwise disclose on the record his entire financial situation, including the amount he has already paid to retain defense counsel, the source of those funds and whether additional funds are available to him through any means;
(iv) The defendant shall disclose the disposition of any retainer and any amounts remaining; and
(v) The state public defender shall be served by the defendant's retained counsel with a copy of any such request and shall be heard by the court prior to any decision on the request.
