CONSULTANTS FOUND THAT THE PRESENT ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM FOR SERVING INDIGENTS APPEARS TO FUNCTION WELL AT A REASONABLE COST AND WITH NO SIGNIFICANT DELAY. LITTLE SUPPORT FOR A STATEWIDE APPELLATE-LEVEL DEFENDER SYSTEM EXISTS, WHILE THE NEED FOR A TRIAL-LEVEL DEFENDER SYSTEM IS WELL SUPPORTED BY THE STATE BAR AND JUDICIARY. NO ADVANTAGES AND EXCESSIVE COST IS PREDICTED BY THE CONSULTANTS IF AN APPELLATE SYSTEM WERE ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE. HOWEVER, ADVANTAGES MIGHT BE REALIZED IF SUCH A PROGRAM WERE INCLUDED AS PART OF A TRIAL DEFENDER SYSTEM. COST ANALYSES PROJECTING BUDGETS AND OTHER STATISTICAL DATA ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, DIAGRAMS, A DESCRIPTION OF A PROPOSED LIBRARY, AND NORTH DAKOTA DEFENDER LEGISLATION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...TWH