Statement: If a defendant who requests a trial is indigent, the court is required to appoint an attorney to represent the defendant in all instances.

• A. True
• B. Not applicable
• C. False
• D. It depends on the offense

Answer: (C)

Not every indigent defendant who asks for a trial is guaranteed a court-appointed attorney. In Texas, the obligation to appoint counsel applies when the offense could be punished by confinement. If the offense is punishable only by a fine (a Class C misdemeanor), the court is not required to appoint counsel just because the defendant is indigent. For offenses that may involve imprisonment (felonies or misdemeanors with potential confinement), the court must appoint counsel for an indigent defendant who cannot afford an attorney. So the statement is false because the appointment isn’t automatic in all cases; it depends on the possible punishment and the defendant’s ability to afford counsel.