If you are charged with a federal criminal offense, you will be considered for appointed counsel at the time of your initial appearance. If you cannot afford an attorney, the federal magistrate judge will appoint an attorney for you. If you have received a letter stating that you are the target of a Grand Jury investigation, you can apply to a federal magistrate judge for appointment of counsel. You will need to fill out a financial affidavit which can be found at http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/cja-forms/financial-affidavit