4.2.1.130 Lay Counsel

(a) Law Counsel may practice in the Courts of the Pueblo of San Ildefonso.

(b) Each litigant in a civil case and every defendant in a criminal proceeding shall have the right to have lay counsel or spokesmen of their choice represent them at their own expense at a rate not to exceed the rate approved by order of the Chief Judge.

(c) If a defendant in a criminal proceeding has no such representation and cannot afford to obtain representation, then where conviction could result in confinement in a jail, the Tribal Judge may appoint lay counsel to represent the defendant at no expense to the defendant.

(d) Admission of Lay Counsel or Spokesmen. All lay counsel or spokesmen who with to be admitted to the practice before the Court of the Pueblo of San Ildefonso any be admitted to practice upon approval of application in writing by order of the Chief Judge, as follows:

(1) Any person who is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of San Ildefonso, twenty-one (21) years of age or older, is of good moral character, and demonstrates to the Court a thorough knowledge of this Code, the Rules of the Tribal Judiciary and knowledge of the culture, traditions, and laws of the San Ildefonso people, is eligible to apply for admission to general practice as lay counsel or lay advocate or spokesman.

(2) Any person who is admitted as lay counsel or spokesman to practice before the Court of the San Ildefonso Pueblo shall, at the discretion of the Chief Judge, furnish bond satisfactory to the Court.

(3) No lay counsel of spokesman admitted to practice may act as security for costs or a surety on an y appeal or other bond in any case pending in which he is interested.

(4) No lay counsel or spokesman in a case may testify as a witness of the trial thereof, except upon permission of the court.

(5) Lay counsel or spokesman may be disbarred by the Chief Judge for cause upon notice and a hearing and a finding of violation by the Chief Judge.