Cruz

Appellant, Alfred Cruz, Jr., appeals from an order holding that he must pay the County of Solano $21,000 for legal services provided to him by the public defender’s office in the defense of a criminal action. He claims that the court erred in computing the amount he should be required to pay. We modify the order and as modified, affirm.

Factual and Procedural Background

On January 12, 1987, a complaint was filed in the Solano County Municipal Court, charging appellant with four felony violations. At appellant’s arraignment, he requested and was granted a public defender to represent him. Appellant pleaded not guilty and, after a preliminary hearing, was bound over to the superior court for trial.

On October 13, 1987, a jury trial commenced. On October 23, after several days of trial, appellant withdrew his previous plea and pleaded guilty to an amended information charging three misdemeanor violations.

After accepting appellant’s change of plea, the court scheduled a sentencing hearing. Appellant was notified that at that same hearing, it would determine whether he should be required to reimburse the county for the use of the public defender pursuant to Penal Code…