Elsie Law's Daily Dose Of The Law

"Defendants who think they may financially qualify for a court-appointed attorney should ask the judge for one when their case is called. Usually, an attorney is present in the arraignment courtroom to represent indigent defendants who want legal help. It's only necessary for you to say something like, 'Your honor, I want to talk to a lawyer before I do anything.' At that point, the judge will put the case aside until after the defendant has spoken to the lawyer." -From, "The Criminal Law Handbook" By: Bergman & Berman-Barrett