Rule 124 - In Forma Pauperis(a) A defendant who is without financial resources to pay the costs of litigation is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis.(b) The defendant shall file a petition and affidavit in a form substantially consistent with Form L124(b) of these rules.(c) If the party is represented by an attorney other than the Public Defender or Court Appointed Counsel, the Clerk of Courts shall allow the party to proceed in forma pauperis upon the filing of a praecipe which contains a certification by the attorney that he or she is providing free legal service to the party and believes the party is unable to pay the costs. The praecipe shall be in a form substantially consistent with Form L124(c) of these rules.(d) A defendant permitted to proceed in forma pauperis has a continuing obligation to inform the court of improvement in his/her financial circumstances which will enable the defendant to pay costs.(e) A defendant permitted to proceed in forma pauperis shall not be required to pay any cost or fee imposed or authorized by Act of Assembly or general rule which is payable to the Court or Clerk of Courts. Form L124(b) TO ALL POTENTIAL CLIENTS
IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR APPLICATION REVIEWED FOR ELIGIBILITY, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
1.The application must be completed in full. The application will be returned if any question is unanswered. If a question does not apply to you or your circumstances, then answer the question with N/A.2.Total household income is considered, due to the Federal Poverty Guidelines that this office follows. Therefore, you must provide proof of income for each member at the time we receive your application.3. Any paperwork you received concerning the charges filed against you must also accompany the completed application.4. Application must be received by this office at least five (5) days prior to representation at hearing. WHEN YOU ARE A CLIENT of ONE of THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Keep us informed at all times of your current address. If you move, notify us immediately by calling (814) _________ for Forest County or (814) ________ for Warren County.2. Keep us informed at all times of your telephone number or a telephone number of a person who will take messages and promptly relay them to you.3. Keep your appointments as scheduled on the Case-Tracking sheet you receive the day of Central Court, unless told otherwise by your attorney. If you look at yourtracking sheet and are not sure if you are to come or not, call (814) _________ for Forest County or (814) _________ for Warren County and the administrativeassistant will check your file and confirm the date(s) you are to be here. Click here to view image
Click here to view image
Click here to view image
Click here to view image
IMPORTANT
Any person who provides any false information on purpose when he/she completes this form may be subject to criminal prosecution and may face criminal penalties including conviction of a misdemeanor.