CRIMINAL COURTS BOARD

The criminal courts board is composed of the judges of the District Courts, and the Statutory County Court at Law serving Nacogdoches County. The Board may periodically impose policies, procedures and guidelines to implement this plan and guarantee effective representation to all indigent  defendants.

 

COUNSEL COORDINATORS

Counsel Coordinators will be designated by the Criminal Courts Board. All questions, issues and problems must be directed to the Counsel Coordinators for resolution. The Counsel Coordinators will also:

 

1. Maintain and update the list of qualified and Second Chair attorneys;

2. Investigate and track attorney qualifications;

3. Manage intake procedures;

4. Track cases and assignments to prevent duplication;

5. Supervise and monitor attorney fee payments;

6. Receive and investigate complaints against appointed attorneys;

7.  Maintain the rotation schedule of appointed attorneys;

8. Coordinate with the Office of Court Administration;

9. Insure compliance with the policies and standards of the Task Force on Indigent Defense;

10. Assist in the County Reporting Plan and obtaining Technical Report Grants;

11. Perform all other duties designated by the Criminal Courts Board.

 

CONFLICTS WITH STATUTORY AND CASE LAW

The Nacogdoches County Indigent Representation Plan is not meant to supplant or supersede Texas statutes or case law precedent. If there is any conflict between this plan and statutory or case law, then the case law or statutes control.

 

 

A.    Arresting Officer Responsibilities

                                i.            The arresting officer, or the person having custody of the arrestee, shall ensure that every arrestee shall be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested.  (per Art. 14.06 and 15.17)

                              ii.            Unless arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias, or other order of a magistrate or judge, necessary forms establishing probable cause must be completed and filed at the time an arrestee is booked into jail for any felony or misdemeanor punishable by incarceration.

                            iii.             Release of defendants arrested without warrant

1.      A person arrested for a misdemeanor without a warrant and who is detained in jail must be released not later than the 24th hour after arrest, on a bond in an amount not to exceed $5,000, if a magistrate has not determined that probable cause exists to believe that the person committed the offense. (per Art. 17.033a) 

2.      A person arrested for a felony without a warrant and who is detained in jail must be released not later than the 48th hour after arrest, on a bond in an amount not to exceed $10,000, if a magistrate has not determined that probable cause exists to believe that the person committed the offense.  (per Art. 17.033b)

3.      If requested by the state, a magistrate may postpone the release of the defendant for not more than 72 hours after the defendant's arrest if a probable cause determination has not been made, in compliance with the procedure set forth in Article 17.033(c), Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

B.     Magistrate Duties

                                i.            At the Magistrate’s hearing, the magistrate should determine if accused can speak and understand English, or if the defendant is deaf.

                              ii.            After making such determination, the magistrate shall, in an appropriate manner consistent with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 38.30 and 38.31, do the following (per Art. 15.17a):

1.      Advise the accused of the accusation against him/her and any affidavit filed therewith;

2.      Admonish the accused of:

a.       The right to retain counsel;

b.      The right to remain silent;

c.       The right to have an attorney present during any interview with peace officers or attorneys representing the state;

d.      The right to terminate an interview at any time;

e.       The right not to make a statement and that any statement made by the accused may be used against him/her; and

f.       The right to an examining trial.

3.      Inform the accused of the right to appointed counsel if the person cannot afford counsel and the procedures for requesting appointment of counsel.

4.      Inquire as to whether accused is requesting that counsel be appointed.

5.      Provide accused persons requesting appointed counsel with necessary forms for requesting appointment of counsel and ensure that reasonable assistance in completing required forms is provided to the accused at the time of the magistrate’s hearing.

6.      If the magistrate has reason to believe the accused is not mentally competent, the magistrate shall enter a request for counsel on behalf of the accused. Such a request will alert the appointing authority that counsel competent to represent mentally ill persons should be appointed.

                            iii.            In cases where the individual was arrested without an arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias, or other order of magistrate or judge, the magistrate shall determine if there is probable cause to believe the person committed the offense. (per Art. 17.033)

1.      If probable cause has not been determined by a magistrate:

a.       A person arrested for a misdemeanor must be released on bond, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, not later than 24 hours after the person's arrest. (per Art. 17.033)

b.      A person arrested for a felony must be released on bond, in an amount not to exceed $10,000, not later than 48 hours after the person’s arrest. (per Art. 17.033)

c.       If requested by the state, the magistrate may postpone the release of the defendant for not more than 72 hours after the defendant's arrest, in compliance with the procedure set forth in Article 17.033, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

                            iv.            The magistrate shall set the amount of bail and any conditions of bond for the accused, if bail is allowed by law and has not been set by the court or magistrate issuing a warrant. (per Art. 17.15)

                              v.            The magistrate shall record the following:

1.      The date and time the accused was arrested and the date and time when he/she was brought before the magistrate.

2.      Whether the magistrate informed the accused of the right to request appointment of counsel and asked the accused whether he/she wants to request counsel.

3.      Whether the accused requested appointment of counsel (per Art. 15.17e)

                            vi.            If the magistrate is not authorized to appoint counsel and if the accused requests appointment of counsel, the magistrate shall transmit or cause to be transmitted the magistrate form and any other forms requesting appointment of counsel to Counsel Coordinator. (the appointing authority) The forms requesting appointment of counsel shall be transmitted without unnecessary delay, but not later than 24 hours after the person arrested requests appointment of counsel. (per Art. 15.17a)

                         

                        vii.            If a request for counsel was made at magistration, the appointing authority shall forward the magistrate form and any other forms requesting appointment of counsel to the appropriate clerk to be put into the case file, but only after the case is filed (for misdemeanors) or is indicted (for felonies) and assigned to a court.

             viii.     If a request for counsel was not made at magistration, the magistrate will forward the magistrate form to the appointing authority. The appointing authority forwards the form to the clerk to be put in the file, but only after the case is filed (for misdemeanors) or is indicted (for felonies)and assigned to a court.

             ix.            For persons arrested on out-of-county warrants, the magistrate will ask the defendant if he/she would like to request appointed counsel. The magistrate will record the response, and if counsel is requested, the magistrate will provide the arrestee with the appropriate forms for requesting counsel. The magistrate will ensure assistance in completing the forms at the same time. The forms will be transmitted to the appointing authority in the county issuing the warrant within 24 hours of the request being made.

A.    Definitions, as used in this rule:

                                i.            “Indigent” means a person who is not financially able to employ counsel.

                              ii.            “Net household income” means all income of the accused and spousal income actually available to the accused. Such income shall include: take-home wages and salary (gross income earned minus those deductions required by law or as a condition of employment); net self-employment income (gross income minus business expenses, and those deductions required by law or as a condition of operating the business); regular payments from a governmental income maintenance program, alimony, child support, public or private pensions, or annuities; and income from dividends, interest, rents, royalties, or periodic receipts from estates or trusts. Seasonal or temporary income shall be considered on an annualized basis, averaged together with periods in which the accused has no income or lesser income.

                            iii.            “Non-exempt assets and property” means cash on hand, stocks and bonds, and accounts at financial institutions.

                            iv.            “Household” means all individuals who are actually dependent on the accused for financial support.

                              v.            “The cost of obtaining competent private legal representation” includes the reasonable cost of support services such as investigators and expert witnesses as necessary and appropriate given the nature of the case.

B.     Eligibility for Appointment

                              i.            An accused is considered indigent if the accused meets any one of the following three criteria AND meets the asset test set out in subsection ii below:

1.      the accused’s net household income does not exceed $1,000.00/month; or

2.      The accused is currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution, is currently residing in a public mental health facility, or is subject to a proceeding in which admission or commitment to such a mental health facility is sought; or

3.      The difference between the accused’s monthly net household income and reasonable necessary expenses is less than $250.00.  Reasonably necessary expenses should include but are not limited to: rent or mortgage, food/groceries, car payment, car insurance, health insurance, medical bills, and utilities (water, electric, gas, phone).

                            ii.            In addition to meeting one of the criteria under section ii above, an accused is considered indigent only if the value of non-exempt assets and property owned by the accused does not exceed the greatest of the following:

a.       $2,500;

b.       The estimated cost of obtaining competent private representation for the offense with which the accused is charged.

                            iii.            An accused who does not meet any of the standards above shall nevertheless be considered indigent if the accused is unable to retain private counsel without substantial hardship to the accused or the accused’s dependents. In considering if obtaining private counsel will create a substantial hardship, the appointing authority shall take into account:

1.      the nature of the criminal charge(s),

2.      anticipated complexity of the defense,

3.      the estimated cost of obtaining competent private legal representation for the matter(s) charged;

4.      the amount needed for the support of the accused and the accused’s dependents; 

5.      accused’s income,

6.      source of income,

7.      assets and property owned,

8.      outstanding obligations,

9.      necessary expenses,

10.  the number and ages of dependents, and

11.  spousal income that is available to the accused.

                              iv.            Factors  NOT to be considered in determining indigence:

1.      The accused’s posting of bail or ability to post bail may not be considered in determining whether the accused is indigent.

                    

C.     Indigence Proceedings:

                                i.            The appointing authority can require the accused to respond to questions about the accused’s financial status, produce documentation supporting financial information provided, and/or order a court official to verify financial information provided. (per Art. 26.04n)

                              ii.            Information gathered for determining indigence, both in the affidavit of indigence and through oral examination, may not be for any purpose other than:

1.      Determining if accused is (or is not) indigent; or

2.      Impeaching direct testimony of accused  or charging the accused with perjury or tampering with a governmental record. (per 26.04q)

                            iii.            A request by the appointing authority for additional information, documentation, and/or verification cannot delay appointment of counsel beyond the timelines specified in Parts I and IV of these rules and contained in Code of Criminal Procedure article 1.051.

                            iv.            An accused determined to be indigent is presumed to remain indigent for the remainder of the case unless a material change in the accused’s financial circumstances occurs. (per Art. 26.04p)

1.      An accused’s status as indigent or not indigent may be reviewed in a formal hearing at any stage of court proceedings, on a motion for reconsideration by the accused, the accused’s attorney, or the attorney representing the state. The accused’s indigent status will be presumed not to have changed. The presumption can be rebutted in the review proceedings based on the following:

a.       Evidence of a material change in the accused’s financial circumstances, as a result of which the accused does not meet any of the standards for indigence contained in these rules; or

b.      Additional information regarding the accused’s financial circumstances that shows that the accused does not meet any of the standards for indigence contained in these rules.

2.      If an accused previously determined to be indigent is subsequently determined not to be indigent, the attorney shall be compensated by the county according to the fee schedule for hours reasonably expended on the case.

                              v.            If the court determines that a defendant has financial resources that enable him to offset in part or in whole the costs of the legal services provided, including any expenses and costs, the court shall order the defendant to pay during the pendency of the charges or, if convicted, as court costs the amount that it finds the defendant is able to pay.

               vi.     If an indigent defendant is released from custody prior to the appointment of counsel, then the appointment of counsel is not required until the defendant's first court appearance or when adversarial judicial proceedings are initiated, whichever comes first. (Art. 1.051 j  CCP) 

A.    The Judges hearing criminal cases shall establish attorney appointment lists for the following categories of offenses. Attorneys may apply for and be placed on multiple lists. To be eligible for an appointment list, an attorney must meet the following minimum requirements:

                                i.            Misdemeanor Qualification Requirements:

1.      All attorneys on the appointment list must ensure all information on their application is correct;

2.      An attorney must be a licensed practicing attorney and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;

3.      An attorney shall complete a minimum of 6 hours of CLE in the area of criminal law and procedure each year. All attorneys on the appointment list must file a certificate with the court administration office each year attesting to completion of the required CLE or submit documentation showing that the attorney is certified as a specialist in criminal law. Continuing legal education activity completed with-in a one year period immediately preceding an attorney’s initial reporting period may be used to meet the educational requirements for the initial year. Continuing legal education activity completed during any reporting period in excess of the minimum of 6 hours for such period may be applied to the following period’s requirement. The carryover provision applies to one year only;

4.   The attorney must never have been found ineffective by an appellate court;     

5.      An attorney may not have been the recipient of any public disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas or any other attorney licensing authority of any state or the United States;

6.      An attorney must maintain an office capable of receiving email, fax, and telephone calls;

7.      An attorney must have the ability to produce typed motions and orders;

8.      An attorney shall notify the county court at law promptly, in writing, of any matter that would disqualify the attorney by law, regulation, rule or under these guidelines from receiving appointments to represent indigent defendants;

9.   Must be of sound mind and good moral standing;

10. Must not be a registered sex offender;

11. Must never have been convicted or placed on deferred adjudication for any theft, felony, or crime of moral turpitude since becoming a licensed attorney by any state;

12. Beginning in 2014, Article 26.04 (j) (4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure will require all attorneys who accept appointments in adult criminal and juvenile delinquency cases to submit an annual statement that describes the percentage of their practice time that is dedicated to work on those appointed cases.  Attorneys must submit this statement to Nacogdoches County and Nacogdoches County will forward the information contained in the attorney practice-time statements to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.  The Commission will add this information to other indigent defense information that is made available to the public via the Commission website.

      In addition to this attorney reporting requirement, Nacogdoches County will be required to report the number of appointments made to every attorney who accepts appointments in the county.

      Every year, an attorney is required to submit a practice-time statement to Nacogdoches County if the attorney accepted an appointment in an adult criminal or juvenile delinquency case during a fiscal year period that begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.  The statement is due no later than October 15 immediately following the close of each fiscal year.

     The statement submitted to Nacogdoches County must describe (1) the percentage of an attorney’s total practice time (time spent in legal practice in all jurisdictions) that was dedicated to work on trial and appeal appointments in adult criminal cases in Nacogdoches County’s district and county courts during the fiscal year beginning on the preceding October 1; and (2) the percentage of an attorney’s total practice time that was dedicated to work on trial and appeal appointments in juvenile delinquency cases (cases alleging delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision) in Nacogdoches County’s district and county courts during the fiscal year beginning on the preceding October 1.

      The percentages reported in the practice-time statement submitted to Nacogdoches County should not include time dedicated to work on appointments to cases (such as CPS cases and guardianship cases) that are no adult criminal or juvenile delinquency cases, and should not include time dedicated to federal criminal appointments.

      The attorney may submit the practice-time statement via the Commission’s electronic attorney reporting portal, on the attached Commission reporting form, or on any other physical or electronic form specified by Nacogdoches County that captures all of the information requested on the Commission form.  Nacogdoches County may require attorneys who accept appointments in that county to use a specific method to submit their practice-time statements.  Attorneys are required to use the form attached hereto entitled, “Texas Indigent Defense Commission Attorney Reporting Form”.

     Penalties for failing to submit a required practice-time statement by the October 15 due date may be prescribed by the judges trying criminal cases in Nacogdoches County.  Penalties may include an attorney’s removal from the list of attorneys eligible to receive future court appointments.

13. An attorney shall be familiar with the practice and procedures of the criminal courts of Texas.  Practice before a juvenile court shall be considered as experience in criminal litigation for purpose of these standards.

14. An attorney shall be familiar with the Texas Rules of Evidence and shall have knowledge of the use of expert witnesses and evidence, including but not limited to, psychiatric and forensice evidence.

15. An attorney shall be familiar with the Texas Lawyer's Creed; and shall be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others with whom the attorney deals with in an official capacity.

 

                              ii.            Felony Case Qualification Requirements

1.  Be a member of the State Bar of Texas;

2.  A minimum of two years of experience OR ten felony jury trials;

3.  A minimum of 33% of practice is in criminal matters;

4.  The same amount of CLE hours as is required for misdemeanors;

5.  Must never have been found to have provided ineffective representation by an appellate court or a Bar disciplinary committee; AND

6.  Must meet all misdemeanor qualifications.

                            iii.            Capital Case Qualification Requirements:

1.      Lead trial counsel must be on the list of attorneys approved by the local selection committee of this Administrative Judicial Region for appointment as lead counsel in death penalty cases, as provided in Article 26.052, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

2.      Second chair counsel must be on the list of attorneys approved by the local selection committee of this administrative judicial region for appointment as lead trial counsel or second chair counsel in death penalty cases, as provided in Article 26.052, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

3.      Appellate counsel must be on the list of attorneys approved by the local selection committee of this administrative judicial region for appointment as appellate counsel in death penalty cases, as provided in Article 26.052, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

                              iv.            Appeal Qualification Requirements

FELONY CASES

1.  Be a member of the State Bar of Texas;

2.  A minimum of 2 years of experience or ten appellate cases;

3.  A minimum of 33% of practice is in criminal law matters;

4.  Meet the same qualifications as felony trial attorneys; AND

5.  Be either Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law or  have an appellate writing sample approved by the appointing judges. 

MISDEMEANOR CASES

1.  Be a member of the State Bar of Texas;

2.  Meet the same CLE hour requirement as the trial attorneys; and

3.  Meet the same ineffective assisstance test as the trial attorneys.  

B.     Approval for Appointment Lists

                                i.            Misdemeanor List – An attorney must be approved by a majority of the Statutory County Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

                              ii.            Felony List  - An attorney must be approved for each list by a majority of the District Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

C.     Removal from Appointment List - The judges will monitor attorney performance on a continuing basis to assure the competency of attorneys on the list. An attorney may be removed or suspended, as appropriate, from one or more appointment lists by a majority vote of the judges. 

D.    Reinstatement to Appointment Lists

                                i.            An attorney who was removed from the appointment list for non-completion of the required CLE hours may be immediately reinstated upon providing proof that the attorney has completed the required hours so long as the attorney otherwise meets the other qualifications under this Plan.

                              ii.            An attorney who has been removed from the appointment list for any other reason and who wishes to be reinstated must apply through the original application process. 

E.     Duties of Appointed Counsel - Appointed Counsel shall:

                               

                              i.            Make every reasonable effort to:

1.      Contact the defendant by the end of the first working day after the date on which the attorney is appointed; and

2.      Interview the defendant as soon as practicable after the attorney is appointed; (per Art. 26.04j)

                            ii.            Represent the defendant until:

1.      Charges are dismissed;

2.      The defendant is acquitted;

3.       Appeals are exhausted; or

4.      The attorney is relieved of his duties by the court or replaced by other counsel after a finding of good cause entered on the record. (per Art. 26.04j)

                            iii.            Investigate, either by self or through an investigator, the facts of the case and be prepared to present any factual defense(s) that may be reasonably and arguably available to the defendant;

                              iv.            Brief the law of the case and be prepared to present any legal defense(s) that may be reasonably and arguably available to the defendant;

                            v.            Be prepared to negotiate with the prosecutor for the most favorable resolution of the case as can be achieved through a plea agreement;

                          vi.            Be prepared to try the case to conclusion either with or without a jury;

                        vii.            Be prepared to file post-trial motions, give notice of appeal and appeal the case pursuant to the standards and requirements of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure;

                            iix.            Maintain reasonable communication and contact with the client at all times and keep the client informed of the status of the case; and

                              ix.            Advise the client on all matters involving the case and such collateral matters as may reasonably be required to aid the client is making appropriate decisions about the case; and

                            x.            Perform the attorney’s duty owed to the defendant in accordance with these procedures, the requirements of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and applicable rules of ethics.

                          xi.            Manage attorney’s workload to allow for the provision of quality representation and the execution of the responsibilities listed in these rules in every case.

A.    Prompt Appointment of Counsel

                                i.            Counsel shall be appointed as soon as possible to indigent defendants, but no later than the end of the third working day after the date on which the appointing authority receives the defendant’s request for court appointed counsel. (per Art. 1.051i). Working day means Monday through Friday, excluding official state holidays.  Counsel must be appointed whether or not a case has been filed in the trial court.

                              ii.            If the defendant is released from custody prior to the appointment of counsel, appointment of counsel is not required until the defendant’s first court appearance or when adversarial judicial proceedings are initiated, whichever comes first. (per Art. 1.051j)

              iii.      If an indigent defendant is arrested in another county based on this county’s warrant, counsel will be appointed within three working days of this county’s receipt of the request for counsel.

              iv.      If a defendant is arrested in this county based on another county’s warrant, counsel will be appointed for the defendant if, on the eleventh day after the arrest, the defendant is still in this county’s custody.

              v.       If a defendant wishes to request counsel prior to the initial appearance, the forms required to request counsel may be obtained at the Texas Indigent Defense Commission’s website at http://tidc.tamu.edu/public.net/.  The defendant may submit these forms to the Appointment Authority listed in part 'vi.' shown below.

The court will rule on all requests for counsel submitted in this manner.

                            vi.            Appointment Authority

1.      If no case has been filed in the trial court, the appointing authority for misdemeanors is: The County Court at Law Judge (or his designee). 

2.      If no case has been filed in the trial court, the appointing authority for felonies is: the District Judge who empaneled the current grand jury (or his designee).

3.      If the case has been filed in the trial court, the appointing authority is: the judge presiding over the case (or his designee)

4.   If an accused is charged with both a felony and a misdemeanor, the appropriate District Judge shall appoint the attorney to represent the accused for both the felony and misdemeanor. 

B.     Defendants Appearing Without Counsel - If a defendant appears without counsel in any adversary judicial proceeding that may result in punishment by confinement:

                                i.            The court may not direct or encourage the defendant to communicate with the attorney representing the state until the court advises the defendant of the right to counsel and the procedure for requesting appointed counsel and the defendant has been given a reasonable opportunity to request appointed counsel.

                              ii.            If the defendant has requested appointed counsel, the court may not direct or encourage the defendant to communicate with the attorney representing the state unless the appointing authority has denied the request and, subsequent to the denial, the defendant:

1.      Has been given a reasonable opportunity to retain and has failed to retain appointed counsel; or

2.      Waived or has waived the opportunity to retain private counsel.

                            iii.            The attorney representing the state may not:

1.      Initiate or encourage an attempt to obtain from the defendant a waiver of the right to counsel; or

2.      Communicate with a defendant who has requested the appointment of counsel, unless the appointing authority has denied the request and subsequent to the denial, the defendant:

a.       Has been given a reasonable opportunity to retain counsel; or

b.      Waives or has waived the opportunity to retain private counsel. (per Art. 1.051(f-1) ).

C.     Waiver of the Right to Counsel

                                i.            A defendant may voluntarily and intelligently waive the right to counsel.

                              ii.            A waiver obtained in violation of sub-section B above is presumed invalid.

                            iii.            If a defendant wishes to waive the right to counsel for purposes of entering a guilty plea or proceeding to trial, the court shall advise the defendant of the nature of the charges against the defendant and, if the defendant is proceeding to trial, the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation.  If the court determines that the waiver is voluntarily and intelligently waived, the court shall provide the defendant with a statement substantially in the following form, which, if signed by the defendant, shall be filed with and become part of the record of the proceedings.

“I have been advised this ___ day of ____, 2___, by the (name of court) Court of my right to representation by counsel in the case pending against me.  I have been further advised that if I am unable to afford counsel, one will be appointed for me free of charge.  Understanding my right to have counsel appointed for me free of charge if I am not financially able to employ counsel, I wish to waive that right and request the court to proceed with my case without an attorney being appointed for me.  I hereby waive my right to counsel. (signature of defendant)” (per Art. 1.051g)

                            iv.            A defendant may withdraw a waiver of the right to counsel at any time but is not entitled to repeat a proceeding previously held or waived solely on the grounds of the subsequent appointment or retention of counsel.  If the defendant withdraws a waiver, the trial court, in its discretion, may provide the appointed counsel 10 days to prepare. (per Art. 1.051h)

A.    The appointing authority will identify which of the appointment lists, discussed in Section III (attorney qualifications), is most appropriate based on the accusations against the defendant and will appoint the attorney whose name is first on the list, unless the court makes a finding of good cause on the record for appointing an attorney out of order. Good cause may include:

                                i.            The defendant requesting counsel does not understand English, in which case the judge will appoint the lawyer whose name appears next in order and speaks the clients’ language, if one is available;

                              ii.            The defendant has an attorney already appointed on a prior pending or concluded matter. The same attorney will be appointed to the new matter, unless the attorney is not on the list for the type of offense involved in the current case; or

                            iii.            Other good cause exists for varying from the list.

B.      An attorney who is not appointed in the order in which the attorney’s name appears on the list shall remain next in order on the list. (per Art. 26.04a)

C.     Judicial Removal from Case:

                                i.            The judge presiding over a criminal case may remove appointed counsel upon learning of good cause for such removal, including without limitation, the following:

1.      Counsel’s failure to appear at a court hearing;

2.      Counsel’s failure to comply with the requirements imposed upon counsel by this plan;

3.      Current information about the defendant and the charges against the defendant indicate that another qualified attorney is more appropriate for the defendant under these rules;

4.      Replacement of appointed counsel in a death penalty case is required under Article 26.052(e), Texas Code of Criminal Procedure;

5.      The appointed counsel shows good cause for being removed, such as illness, workload or scheduling difficulties;

6.      The defendant requests an attorney, other than trial counsel, for appeal; or

7.      The defendant shows good cause for removal of counsel, including counsel’s persistent or prolonged failure to communicate with the defendant.

                              ii.            Appointment of Replacement Counsel - Whenever appointed counsel is removed under this section, replacement counsel shall immediately be selected and appointed in accordance with the procedures described in this plan.

A.    Court appointed counsel shall be compensated for all reasonable and appropriate services rendered in representing the accused. Compensation shall be reasonable for time and effort expended and will be in accordance with a fee schedule adopted and approved by a majority of the judges hearing criminal cases in the county. (per Art. 26.05b)

B.     Payment Process:  No payment of attorney’s fees will be made other than in accordance with the rules set forth below. (per Art. 26.05c)

                                i.            An appointed attorney shall fill out and submit a fee voucher to the court for services rendered.

                              ii.            The trial judge presiding over the proceedings shall review the request for compensation and either approve or disapprove of the amount requested.

1.      If a judge disapproves a request for compensation, the judge shall make written findings, stating the amount of payment that the judge approves and each reason for approving an amount different from the requested amount.

2.      An attorney whose request for payment is disapproved or is not otherwise acted on by the 60^th day after the date the request for payment is submitted may appeal the disapproval or failure to act by filing a motion with the presiding judge of this administrative judicial region.

C.     Payment of Expenses:

                                i.            Court appointed counsel will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred, including expenses for investigation and for mental health and other experts. Expenses incurred with and without prior approval shall be paid according to the procedures set forth below. Whenever possible prior court approval should be obtained before expenses are incurred. (per Art 26.05d and Art. 26.052h)

                              ii.            Procedure With Prior Court Approval:

1.      Appointed Counsel may file with the trial court a pretrial ex parte confidential request for advance payment of investigative and expert expenses. The request for expenses must state the below, as applicable:

a.       The type of investigation to be conducted or the type of expert to be retained;

b.      Specific facts that suggest the investigation will result in admissible evidence or that the services of an expert are reasonably necessary to assist in the preparation of a potential defense; and

c.       An itemized list of anticipated expenses for each investigation and/or each expert.

2.      The court shall grant the request for advance payment of expenses in whole or in part if the request is reasonable. If the court denies in whole or in part the request for expenses, the court shall:

a.       State the reasons for the denial in writing;

b.      Attach the denial to the confidential request; and

c.       Submit the request and denial as a sealed exhibit to the record.

                            iii.            Procedure Without Prior Court Approval:  Appointed counsel may incur investigative or expert expenses without prior approval of the court. On presentation of a claim for reimbursement, the court shall order reimbursement of counsel for the expenses, if the expenses are reasonably necessary and reasonably incurred. Unreasonable or unnecessary expenses will not be approved.

Nacogdoches District and County Court Affidavit of Indigence.doc (11/24/2009 3:00:32 PM) view
Nacogdoches District and County Court Attorney Application for Appointment.docx (5/18/2020 10:48:15 AM) view
Nacogdoches District and County Court Attorney Fee Schedule.doc (11/1/2023 1:22:30 PM) view
Nacogdoches District and County Court Attorney Fee Voucher.doc (11/24/2009 3:02:38 PM) view
Nacogdoches District and County Court Magistrates Warning Form.doc (11/24/2009 3:11:46 PM) view
Nacogdoches District and County Court Waiver of Counsel.doc (11/24/2009 3:03:01 PM) view