Rule 33.5. Appointment of Counsel

(a) Generally No later than 15 days after the defendant has filed a timely first notice under Rule 33.4, or a notice under Rule 33.4(b)(3)(C), the presiding judge must appoint counsel for the defendant if:

(1) the defendant requests it;

(2) the defendant is entitled to appointed counsel under Rule 6.1(b); and

(3) there has been a previous determination that the defendant is indigent, or the defendant has completed a declaration of indigency and the court finds that the defendant is indigent.

(b) Appointment of Investigators, Expert Witnesses, and Mitigation Specialists On application and if the trial court finds that such assistance is reasonably necessary for an indigent defendant, it may appoint an investigator, expert witnesses, and a mitigation specialist, or any combination of them, under Rule 6.7.

(c) Attorney-Client Privilege and Confidentiality for the Defendant The defendant's prior counsel must share all files and other communications with post-conviction counsel. This sharing of information does not waive the attorney-client privilege or confidentiality claims.