NEWPORT-Defendants who claim they cannot afford to hire their own lawyer will be required to follow the law or they could find themselves in more trouble, according to Cocke County Circuit Judge Ben W. Hooper II.

Before conducting arraignment hearings for defendants who were accused of crimes by the Cocke County Grand Jury last week, Judge Hooper cautioned them not to lie on the family income forms they are required to complete to qualify for appointed counsel and stressed that they must pay a state-mandated $200 assessment required of indigent defendants.

"The court is going to make an all-out effort to see that every defendant who has appointed counsel follows the law," Judge Hooper said in court on Monday.

He added that the sworn affidavits of indigency be completed "completely, accurately, and truthfully." If not, the defendant could find himself facing a charge of perjury.

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.