Discretionary appointment of counsel

New Mexico , Legislation , Parentage - Petitioner or Child

In proceedings to adjudicate the parentage of a child, “[t]he court shall appoint counsel for any party who is unable to obtain counsel for financial reasons if, in the court’s discretion, appointment of counsel is required in the interest of justice.”  NMSA 1978, § 40-11A-641(A) (2009). The court is responsible for payment of “reasonable compensation for services and related expenses” of court-appointed counsel. NMSA 1978, §§ 32A-1-19(A)(1)–(2).

Appointment of Counsel: Discretionary
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.