Section 987.81 Of Chapter 1. Of The Arraignment Of The Defendant From California Penal Code >> Title 6. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 1.
987.81
. (a) In any case in which a defendant is provided legal
assistance, either through the public defender or private counsel
appointed by the court, upon conclusion of the criminal proceedings
in the trial court, or upon the withdrawal of the public defender or
appointed private counsel, the court shall consider the available
information concerning the defendant's ability to pay the costs of
legal assistance and may, after notice, as provided in subdivision
(b), hold a hearing to make a determination of the present ability of
the defendant to pay all or a portion of the cost thereof.
Notwithstanding the above, in any case where the court has ordered
the probation officer to investigate and report to the court pursuant
to subdivision (b) of Section 1203, the court may hold such a
hearing. The court may, in its discretion, hold one such additional
hearing within six months of the conclusion of the criminal
proceedings.
(b) Concurrent with the furnishing of counsel or legal assistance
by the court, the court shall order the defendant to appear before a
county officer designated by the court to make an inquiry into the
ability of the defendant to pay all or a portion of the legal
assistance provided. Prior to the furnishing of counsel or legal
assistance by the court, the court shall give notice to the defendant
that the court shall, after a hearing, make a determination of the
present ability of the defendant to pay all or a portion of the cost
of counsel. The court shall also give notice that, if the court
determines that the defendant has the present ability, the court
shall order him or her to pay all or a part of the cost. The notice
shall inform the defendant that the order shall have the same force
and effect as a judgment in a civil action and shall be subject to
enforcement against the property of the defendant in the same manner
as any other money judgment.
(c) The provisions of this section shall apply only in a county in
which the board of supervisors adopts a resolution which elects to
proceed under this section.