Commonwealth v. Diaz

OPINION BY NICHOLS, J.:

Appellant William Perez Diaz appeals from the order holding him in contempt and imprisoning him for failure to pay court-ordered fines and costs. Appellant challenges whether the trial court erred by not appointing him counsel and without making a finding of fact that he had the financial ability to pay. Because the court erred, we vacate the order below and remand for appointment of counsel and a new hearing, at which the trial court must render appropriate findings on Appellant's financial ability to pay the fines and costs.

At docket no. 1838-2012, on July 3, 2013,…