In the case of an offense punishable by imprisonment, when the defendant appears for arraignment without counsel, the court shall inform him before he pleads to the indictment of his right to have counsel appointed to defend him if he is indigent. When a defendant states under oath that he desires counsel but is indigent, and the court finds the statement of indigency to be true, before the defendant pleads to the indictment, the court shall provide counsel for the defendant, in accordance with R.S. 15:141 et seq.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess. No. 22, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 1976, No. 653, §2; Acts 2010, No. 861, §2.