The Assigned Counsel Plan (18-B)

Also known as "18-B", after the section of the statute which created it, the Assigned Counsel Plan provides free legal representation to indigent criminal defendants in New York Supreme Court Criminal Division, and to both juvenile and adult respondents in the New York Family Courts.

An "18-B" attorney can be assigned only to eligible defendants/respondents by a Supreme Court Justice or Family Court judge. You must apply for an "18-B" attorney at your initial court appearance, and you must meet financial eligibility guidelines. Generally speaking, if you are unemployed, you qualify for free legal representation in any case to which 18-B applies.

The attorneys who provide 18-B representation are private practitioners. The State of New York reimburses them at a low rate and the Courts must assign more cases than the shrinking Panel can reasonably handle. The future of the Assigned Counsel Plan and of free legal representation for indigents in Family and Criminal Court is therefore currently under debate. Whether the Panel will receive the increased financial support it has sought for years from the State of New York, or whether some existing or newly-created legal services organization will replace the Panel, is being decided.

You can reach the Assigned Counsel Plan at the following address:

Assigned Counsel Plan
Office of the Mayor
253 Broadway Room 200
New York, N.Y.
(212)-676-0066

Note: The number is for informational purposes only. You cannot get legal advice by calling the Plan.