Rule 44 - Right to and Assignment of Counsel(a) Right to Assigned Counsel. Every defendant charged with a serious crime as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 5201(4) who is unable to obtain counsel shall be entitled to have counsel assigned to represent him at every stage of the proceedings from his initial appearance before the judicial officer through appeal, unless he waives such appointment. (b) Assignment Procedure. The procedures for implementing the right set out in subdivision (a) shall be those provided by law and by these rules.