P.R. Laws Ap. tit. 34A, § II, Rule 159
(a) Assistance of counsel.— If when a case is to be tried, the defendant appears in court without counsel, the court shall advise him of his right to counsel, and if the defendant cannot obtain the services of counsel, the court shall assign counsel to represent him, unless the defendant waives his right thereto. The counsel assigned by the court shall render his services free of charge to the defendant. The court shall grant counsel a reasonable time to prepare the defense of the defendant.
(b) Trial.— At the commencement of the trial the complaint shall be read to the defendant who shall thereafter file his plea. If the defendant pleads “not guilty”, the corresponding prosecuting attorney, if any, or in lieu thereof the court shall proceed to examine under oath the witnesses for the prosecution, after which, the defendant shall submit the evidence on his behalf. Thereafter and following the same order, the evidence of rebuttal may be introduced, although said order may be altered by the court according to its own discretion. Once the presentation of the evidence and the pleading of both parties is over, the court shall render the appropriate judgment and enter sentence pursuant to the provisions of these Rules.
History —June 26, 1974, No. 90, Part 1, p. 314.