If a defendant appearing without counsel in a criminal
proceeding desires to obtain his or her own counsel, a reasonable
continuance for arraignment, not to exceed seven (7) days at any
one time, shall be granted for that purpose. If the defendant
requests appointment of counsel by the court, or fails for an
unreasonable time to appear with his or her own counsel, the
assigned district judge or magistrate judge shall, subject to the
applicable financial eligibility requirements, appoint counsel,
unless the defendant elects to proceed without counsel and signs
and files the court-approved form of waiver of right to counsel.
In an appropriate case, the district judge or magistrate judge
may nevertheless designate counsel to advise and assist a
defendant who elects to proceed without counsel to the extent the
defendant might thereafter desire. Appointment of counsel shall
be made in accordance with the plan of this court adopted
pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act of 1964 on file with the
clerk.
