Criminal procedure; modifying eligibility procedures for indigent representation by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System; effective date.

HB 2525 modifies Oklahoma's process for determining eligibility for free legal representation through the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. It removes a previous rule that presumed eligibility for defendants unable to post bail, replacing it with new requirements: applicants must pay a $40 nonrefundable application fee (with possible court deferral if they cannot pay at the time) and, if released on bond, must provide written proof they contacted three licensed Oklahoma attorneys without success. The bill also mandates that applications be signed under oath and sent to prosecutors for review. These changes directly affect individuals in criminal cases who seek court-appointed counsel but cannot afford a lawyer.