California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from County of Tulare v. Ybarra, 143 Cal.App.3d 580, 192 Cal.Rptr. 49 (Cal. App. 1983):
Therefore, an indigent defendant in an action brought by the state to determine paternity and obtain reimbursement for assistance is entitled to appointed counsel. However, the court cannot appoint the public defender to represent these defendants. (Littlefield v. Superior Court, supra, 98 Cal.App.3d 652, 160 Cal.Rptr. 175.) Appointed counsel must serve gratuitously, pro bono publico, absent legislative authorization of payment of fees from public funds.
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