State v. Coburn

HARRIS, Justice.

May workers’ compensation proceeds be considered on the question of the indigency of a criminal defendant? The trial court considered the benefits and on that basis found defendant’s indigency had ceased to exist and we agree. However the trial court was authorized to apply that finding only toward fees thereafter earned by appointed counsel. There was no authority to direct the State to recoup from defendant the fees paid for his trial counsel.

Defendant received a life sentence upon his conviction of first-degree sexual abuse. On his own application his appeal from his…