To determine Indigency, the defendant is interviewed by an employee of Indigent Defense at Magistrate Court commonly called 72 hour hearing.   You may view a sample interview under forms and documents.  YOU CANNOT FILL OUT THE INTERVIEW AND SEND IT TO INDIGENT DEFENSE.  ALL INTERVIEWS MUST BE DONE IN PERSON.   If you are not incarcerated and require an attorney appointed, you will be required to be interviewed by bringing to the Indigent office the requirements listed under forms and documents.  Indigent Defense does not make appointments.  Interviews for Superior Court charges are on Tuesdays, between 9am and 11am.  Interviews for State, Juvenile, and any other interviews are done on Thursdays, between 9am and 11am.  If you have questions concerning the requirement letter you may contact the Indigent Defense office.  An asset report is also run to determine eligibility.   Indigent guidleines for Cherokee County follow the Federal Standards and Guidelines for determing Indigency.

2011/2012 HHS Poverty Guidelines

For all states (except Alaska and Hawaii) and for the District of Columbia

For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,431 for each additional person at 116 percent of poverty.

Note: For optional use in FFY 2011 and mandatory use in FFY 2012

After eligibility is determined, the defendant will be appointed counsel or sent a letter of explanation stating they were denied.