Right to have counsel provided

[Fishbowl]

I'm in South Carolina. I have been charged with breach of trust, less than $1000. I was arrested and posted bond. I could be jailed for as many as 30 days.

I am disabled and awaiting my first SSD check. I have no income. I was told by the magistrate at my bond hearing that I was NOT entitled to have an attorney appointed if I could not afford one. The reason the magistrate gave is that public defenders are not provided in "city court". According to my release papers the court is a Municiple court. Can anyone enlighten me as to why I am not entitled to a public defender in Municiple court?

 

[racer72]

Your city is a municipality. The legal designation for a court that provides services to the municipality is a municipal court. You are likely being charged with a misdemeanor, many states do not provide public defenders for misdemeanor cases.