Counsel De Officio

Category: Criminal Procedure

Counsel De Officio

Sec. 7. Appointment of counsel de officio. – The court, considering the  gravity  of  the  offense  and  the  difficulty  of  the  questions  that may arise, shall appoint as counsel de officio such members of the bar in good standing who, by reason of their experience and ability, can  competently  defend  the  accused.  But  in  localities  where  such members  of  the  bar  are  not  available,  the  court  may  appoint  any person, resident of the province and of good repute for probity and ability, to defend the accused.

Sec.  8.  Time  for  counsel  de  officio  to  prepare  for  arraignment.  – Whenever a counsel  de office is  appointed  by the  court to  defend he accused at the arraignment, he shall be given a reasonable time to consult  with the accused  as to his  plea before proceeding with the arraignment.

WHAT IS A COUNSEL DE OFFICIO?

>     A  counsel  de  officio  is  the  counsel  appointed  by  the  court  to represent  and  defend  the  accused  in  case  he  cannot  afford  to employ one himself

WHO CAN BE APPOINTED COUNSEL DE OFFICIO?

>     The court, considering the gravity of the offense and the difficulty of the questions that may arise shall appoint as counsel de officio
1.    A member of the bar in good standing
2.    And  such  member,  by  reason  of  his/her  experience  and ability, can competently defend the accused
>     ONLY  DURING  TRIAL:  But,  in  localities  where  such  members  of the bar are not available, the court may appoint any person who
is—
1.    A resident of the province
2.    And of good repute for probity and with ability to defend the accused