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La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 512

This is the official text of La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 512, part of Louisiana’s Code of Criminal Procedure — sets the procedural rules for criminal cases in Louisiana.

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Assignment of counsel in capital cases

Official statutory text

When a defendant charged with a capital offense appears for arraignment without counsel, the court shall provide counsel for his defense in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 15:141 et seq. Such counsel must be assigned before the defendant pleads to the indictment, but may be assigned earlier. Counsel assigned in a capital case must have been admitted to the bar for at least five years. An attorney with less experience may be assigned as assistant counsel.

Amended by Acts 1976, No. 653, §2; Acts 2010, No. 861, §2.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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