New Jersey § 2a:158a-14

§ 2a:158a-14.

Eligibility for the services of the Office of the Public Defender shall be determined

on the basis of the need of the defendant. Need shall be measured according to : a. The financial ability of the defendant to engage and compensate competent private counsel ; b. The current employment, salary and income of the defendant including prospects

for continued employment if admitted to bail; c. The liquid assets of the defendant, including all real and personal property and

bank accounts; d. The ability of the defendant to make bail and the source of bail posted; e. Where appropriate the willingness and ability of the defendant's immediate family,

friends or employer to assist the defendant in meeting defense costs; f. Where appropriate an assessment of the probable and reasonable costs of providing

a private defense, based upon the status of the defendant, the nature and extent of

the charges and the likely issues; g. Where appropriate, the ability of the defendant to demonstrate convincingly that

he has consulted at least three private attorneys, none of whom would accept the case

for a fee within his ability to pay; and h. The ability of the defendant to provide all other necessary expenses of representation. In the event that a determination of eligibility cannot be made before the time when

the first services are to be rendered, or if an initial determination is found to

be erroneous, the office shall undertake the same provisionally, and if it shall subsequently be determined that the defendant is ineligible it shall so inform the defendant, and the defendant

shall thereupon be obliged to engage his own counsel and to reimburse the office for

the cost of the services rendered to that time.