INDIGENT DEFENDANTS If you are formally charged with a crime, you will receive notice to appear for arraignment. This begins a process which will result in the charge(s) against you being dealt with in Court. DO YOU HAVE A LAWYER? If you already have a lawyer representing you, then immediately take all of your papers to your lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, then you are encouraged to talk with a lawyer about representing you. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and you want to be represented by a lawyer then you must complete an Application For Appointment of Counsel and bring it with you when you first come to Court or return it to the clerk?s office. At that time the Judge will review your application and if you qualify, then a lawyer will be appointed to represent you at no cost to you. Select for Appointment of Counsel ---------------------------------------- Application for Appointment of Counsel The Application For Appointment of Counsel handout is provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. To view this file, you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Get Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ here. IF YOU MOVE OR CHANGE ADDRESSES you must come to the office of the Clerk, located in the County Courthouse and make the change of address. Remember to bring your paperwork with you because the Clerk will need your case number to make the change of address. All court notices will be mailed to the address which the Clerk has been given. It is your responsibility to tell the Clerk if you move. If you do not give the Clerk your new address, then you may not receive notice of a court date and this may result in you being arrested, held in jail until time of your trial, and your bond being revoked. COURT HEARINGS: A notice of arraignment is often the first time you appear in Court on a criminal charge, but there will be several other times you will be required to appear in Court. You will be notified each time that you are to appear either by the Clerk or your attorney. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE CLERK AND YOUR ATTORNEY INFORMED AS TO YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO APPEAR ON THE DATES AND TIMES STATED IN YOUR ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE. Often there will be months between your Court dates, but this does not mean the case is over. One of three things must happen before your case is over: (1) a plea or finding of guilty with sentencing, (2) a finding of not guilty, or (3) a dismissal of the case. Johnson County Public Defender Ralph N. Jackson, Esq. Jackson & Lewis 212-E W. Jackson Street Dublin, Georgia 31021 (478) 272-7607 Al Lewis, Esq. Jackson & Lewis 212-E W. Jackson Street Dublin, Georgia 31021 (478) 272-7607 Laurens County Public Defender Mitch Warcock, Esq. Tapley & Warnock 1506 Bellevue Blvd. Dublin, Georgia 31021 (478) 275-0522 Morris Robertson, Esq. P.O. Box 2031 Dublin, Georgia 31040-2031 (478) 272-7701 Treutlen County Public Defender Ralph N. Jackson, Esq. Jackson & Lewis 212-E W. Jackson Street Dublin, Georgia 31021 (478) 272-7607 Twiggs County Public Defender Laurens C. Lee, Esq. P.O. Box 1553 Fort Valley, Georgia 31030-1553 (912) 825-118