View Indigent Defense Plan

Denton District Court Plan

Preamble

10/10/2023

Denton District Courts Plan

Preamble

Indigent Defense Plan

Denton County District Courts

For the Year 2023

Purpose and Scope

This alternative program for appointing counsel for indigent defendants in felony criminal cases is created pursuant to Article 26.04 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Its purpose and intent is to ensure all indigent defendants receive quality legal assistance in the disposition of their cases from the reasonable and impartial appointment of qualified attorneys in a manner which is fair, neutral, and nondiscriminatory.

Nothing in this plan is intended or shall be construed to obligate Denton County by contract or to bestow any right of employment.

When the terms “Judges”, “District Judges” or “District Courts” are used in this document it means the Denton County District Judges whose regular dockets include felony cases. Masculine pronouns are used in this document to indicate one whose sex in unknown and/or immaterial.

Prompt Magistration

10/26/2017

Conduct Prompt and Accurate Magistration Proceedings

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.

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.

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.

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, 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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 District Court Administration. 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.

vii. If the magistrate is authorized to appoint counsel, the magistrate shall make a determination of indigence and appoint counsel if the defendant is indigent within three working days unless the County has a U.S. Census population over 250,000, in which case counsel shall be appointed within one working day.

viii. 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. Persons arrested on out-of-county warrants must be appointed counsel in the county of arrest if the person has not been transferred or released to the custody of county issuing the warrant before the 11th day after the date of arrest. [Art. 1.051 (c-1), CCP].

ix. If a request for counsel was not made at magistration, the magistrate will forward the magistrate form to the clerk to be put into the case file. 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. Regarding the appointment of counsel, persons arrested in other counties on local warrants must be appointed counsel in the county that issued the warrant within 1 working day of receipt of the request in counties with a population of 250,000 or more and within 3 working days of receipt of the request in counties under 250,000. Persons arrested on out-of-county warrants must be appointed counsel in the county of arrest if the person has not been transferred or released to the custody of the county issuing the warrant before the 11^th day after the date of arrest. [Art. 1.051 (c-1), CCP].

Indigence Determination Standards

10/10/2023

Determination of Indigence:

A defendant wishing to request court-appointed counsel shall complete a Request for Appointed Counsel Form.

A defendant is presumed to be indigent if:

The defendant is in jail and unable to make bail.

The defendant is currently receiving free medical services from Denton County indigent health services.

A district judge making the indigence determination shall consider the defendant indigent under the above circumstances unless it clearly appears from the totality of the Request for Appointed Counsel the defendant is capable of hiring an attorney.

Absent a presumption of indigence, the appointing judge will make a case by case determination of indigence. The appointing judge should consider the following factors:

the defendant’s income;

source of income;

assets;

property owned;

outstanding obligations;

necessary expenses;

the number and ages of dependents,

if the defendant is receiving Food Stamps,

if the defendant is receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,

if the defendant is receiving Supplemental Security Income, and;

spousal income available to the defendant (unless the spouse is the victim of the offense).

This Indigent Defense Plan will defer to and conform with any Supreme Court Emergency Order and/or Denton County Minimum Health Standard Protocols as needed. Further, due to any Texas Supreme Court Emergency Order and/or Denton County Minimum Health Standard Protocols, the magistrate or district judge will complete an, “Emergency Circumstances Certification of Inability to Post Bail, Presumption of Indigency and Substitution of Affidavit of Indigency,” in lieu of affidavit of indigency, and the defendant has been unable to secure release on bail – or – to retain private counsel, and where a sworn affidavit or request cannot be collected.

Where resources available to the defendant over the next 6 month period (through current cash flow or the selling of assets available to the defendant) does not exceed the national poverty level by an amount needed to hire an attorney for the case(s) charged, the appointing judge should deem the defendant indigent. For this determination the judge should consider the amount necessary to hire an attorney to be:

$10,000 for a first degree felony;

$7,500 for a second degree felony;

$5,000 for a third degree felony;

$2,500 for a state jail felony;

Minimum Attorney Qualifications

10/10/2023

Attorneys to be appointed

The Denton County District Courts will use an alternative appointment system which meets the requirements of the statute whereby attorneys in private practice will be appointed to represent defendants charged with felony offenses. An attorney wishing to be included on an appointment list(s) will submit their application to District Court Administration, 1450 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas 76209 by completing an application form, which has been approved by majority vote of the District Judges.

Appointments will be made from attorneys who have made application and who have been approved by a majority of the District Judges. Additionally, the District Courts will, by majority vote, determine if the applying attorney should be included on A, B, and/or Appeal Appointment List(s).

Attorneys on the A Appointment List have been approved by a majority of the district judges to have 1^st and 2^nd degree felonies assigned to them. Attorneys on the B Appointment List have been approved by a majority of the district judges to have 3^rd degree and State Jail felonies assigned to them. Attorneys on the Appeal Appointment List have been approved by a majority of the district judges to have felony appeals assigned to them.

Requirements for the A, B, and Appeal Appointment Lists can be found at the two websites listed below:

Texas Indigent Defense Commission:

http://tidc.tamu.edu/public.net/

Denton County District Court Administration:

https://www.dentoncounty.gov/617/For-Attorneys-Only---Applications

Special Designation:

If an attorney is fluent in a foreign language or sign language, then a special designation noting the proficiency(s) will be included on the appropriate list by the attorney’s name.

Court Appointed Mentorship Program

To enable attorneys to gain the experience necessary to meet the requirements for the appointment lists, the district judges will allow attorneys to participate in a mentorship program.

Attorneys that do not meet the requirements, may obtain a Mentor attorney that is on the appointment list. If the Mentor attorney agrees to sponsor the mentee, the judge will appoint the Mentor attorney to represent the defendant. The judge will also appoint the Mentee attorney as a second chair attorney. The Mentor attorney is required to be present with the Mentee attorney for all court appearances, hearings, trials, and interactions with the defendant.

The Mentor attorney will be paid as described in the plan. The Mentee attorney will not be paid by the county.

Removal from a List:

Any attorney may be removed from a list by majority vote of the District Judges. Some of the factors which may be considered in removing an attorney from a list include:

The failure of an attorney to contact his client within 24 hours from notice of appointment.

The attorney making a frivolous appeal of the amount paid by the court pursuant to Section 26.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

It is shown after a hearing that the attorney submitted a claim for legal services not performed by the attorney.

The failure of an attorney to demonstrate professionalism and reliability when providing representation to his client.

The failure of an attorney to exhibit proficiency and commitment in providing zealous representation to his client.

The failure of an attorney to conduct himself in accordance with the rules of ethical conduct or the Lawyers Creed.

An attorney may request to be temporarily suspended from receiving appointments if the attorney feels for any reason he will not be able to contact defendants within 24 hours of appointment or will not be able to provide quality legal services to his clients (i.e. excessive caseloads, vacation, medical leave, personal problems, etc.). To be temporarily suspended from appointments, the attorney should contact District Court Administration in written form at District Court Administration, 1450 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas 76209 or by fax to 940-349-2301. The suspension will remain in effect until the attorney contacts the District Court Administrator in writing to be reinstated.

Duty of Attorneys on Appointment List:

If an attorney has a change of circumstances regarding any of the minimum requirements for the list upon which the attorney appears, the attorney shall notify the District Court Administrative Judge of the change or circumstances immediately.

An attorney appointed on a felony case shall make himself available for appointment to a misdemeanor case arising out of the same transaction. These appointments will be made and services will be compensated through the County Criminal Court’s indigent defense system.

Grandfathering of Attorneys on the Appointment List:

As of January 1, 2002, the District Courts maintained a list from which attorneys were appointed to represent indigent defendants. The attorneys on that list will be maintained on the current list of attorneys available for appointment unless and until they are removed by majority vote of the district judges, or pursuant to other provisions of this plan.

Denton County Supplemental Plan

for Continuing Legal Education Requirements

The judges hearing misdemeanor and felony criminal cases having approved, the following amendment to the Plan for Appointment of Counsel is adopted and supersedes any previous continuing legal education requirements of the plan as follows:

MINIMUM CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Appointment in Criminal Cases. An attorney who meets the requirements of this rule may be appointed to represent an indigent person arrested for or charged with a crime, if the attorney is otherwise eligible to be appointed under the Appointment of Counsel Plan.

An attorney may be appointed under this rule only if the attorney:

Completes a minimum of six hours of continuing legal education pertaining to criminal law during each 12 month reporting period. The first period will begin on April 27^th, and then onOctober 1^st each reporting period thereafter.Continuing legal education may include activities accredited under Section 4, Article XI, State Bar Rules, self-study, teaching at an accredited continuing legal education activity, attendance at a law school class or legal research-based writing; or
Is currently certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Reporting Period.

Continuing legal education activity completed within 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 six hour requirement for such period may be applied to the following period’s requirement. The carryover provision applies to one year only.

To be included on the appointment list, each attorney must annually

submit an affidavit to the county detailing the criminal continuing legal education activities completed in the prior year. Alternatively, an attorney may annually submit documentation showing the attorney is currently a specialist in criminal law.

Emergency Appointment.

If no attorney who meets these continuing legal education or board certification requirements is available by the time an attorney must be appointed in a case, another attorney may be appointed. The person making an appointment shall give priority to an attorney with experience in criminal or juvenile law, respectively.

Prompt Appointment of Counsel

10/10/2023

Timing of Appointment:

If a requesting defendant is in custody and is determined to be indigent based on the information from the Request for Appointed Counsel, the appointing judge will appoint counsel to represent the defendant within one working day from receipt of a completed Request for Appointed Counsel. If after reviewing the Request for Appointed Counsel it is unclear if the defendant is indigent, the judge will order the defendant to court to inquire of defendant’s financial status and may conduct a hearing if necessary.

If a requesting defendant is not in custody, the appointing judge will determine indigence and appoint counsel at the first setting of the case or when adversarial proceedings are initiated. Each indigent defendant charged with an offense punishable by confinement who appears in court without counsel shall have an opportunity to confer with appointed counsel before judicial proceedings commence.

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. Regarding the appointment of counsel, persons arrested in other counties on local warrants must be appointed counsel in the county that issued the warrant within 1 working day of receipt of the request in counties with a population of 250,000 or more and within 3 working days of receipt of the request in counties under 250,000. Persons arrested on out-of-county warrants must be appointed counsel in the county of arrest if the person has not been transferred or released to the custody of the county issuing the warrant before the 11^th day after the date of arrest. [Art. 1.051 (c-1), CCP].

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/, Denton County Indigent Defense at the Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas 76209. The defendant may submit these forms to Denton County Indigent Defense at the Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas 76209 – or – by fax to 940-349-2301. The Court will rule on all requests for counsel submitted in this manner.

Attorney Selection Process

10/10/2023

Selection of an Attorney:

Appointments shall be made in a nondiscriminatory manner from all qualified attorneys. The appointing judge should use his best efforts to match any special needs of the defendant (e.g. the defendant speaks a foreign language) or special requirements of a case to the abilities of a particular attorney on the appropriate appointment list.

If a defendant has an attorney representing him on a pending case and that attorney is on the appropriate appointment list for a new case the same attorney should be assigned to the new case. Where a List B attorney is appointed to represent a defendant on a pending case, and a defendant’s new case would require an appointment of a List A attorney, the appointing judge should appoint an attorney from List A for the new case. In such instances, the appointing judge may, but is not required to, remove the attorney appointed on the pending case and replace that attorney with the newly appointed attorney from List A.

To facilitate the expedient assistance of counsel for indigent defendants, where there is an attorney from the appropriate list present in the courtroom at a time when a defendant is present in the courtroom and an appointment is to be made for that defendant, the appointing judge may appoint the attorney present at the time to represent the defendant.

When no circumstances listed above indicate the appointment of a particular attorney, the appointing judge should appoint the next attorney from List A or List B, as the indicated by the punishment range for the offense charged.

Removal of an Attorney from a Case:

If upon request of appointed counsel showing valid ethical grounds or other good cause, the court believes it would not be in the best interest of the defendant for representation to continue, the court may remove counsel and appoint new counsel.

If after trial of the case, counsel or the defendant request removal of the appointed counsel for purposes of appeal and the court believes it would not be in the best interest of the defendant for trial counsel to continue representation on appeal, the court may remove counsel and appoint new counsel to handle the appeal.

If the defendant retains counsel to represent him in the case, the court may discharge appointed counsel.

If, due to a change in the defendant’s circumstances or information being brought to the court’s attention, it appears to the court the defendant is no longer indigent, the court may discharge appointed counsel and require the defendant to retain counsel.

If an appointed attorney fails to contact his client within 24 hours from notice of appointment, the court may discharge that counsel and appoint new counsel.

After notice and a hearing, the court may discharge appointed counsel for any other good cause shown.

Assigning an Attorney to a Case

Judge to Make Appointment:

The District Judges or Magistrate will make all appointment of counsel to indigent defendants in felony cases. If the defendant has a case pending in a district court, the judge of that court will make the appointment. If the defendant has no case pending in a district court, then the judge who has impaneled the current Grand Jury will make the appointment. If the District Judge who is to make appointment is absent or otherwise unable to make a timely appointment, then any other District Judge or Magistrate will make the appointment. Denton County Indigent Defense (Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney, 2^nd Floor, Denton Texas 76209) will receive and screen requests for appointed counsel. Denton County Indigent Defense will determine if the defendant has other charges pending in a court and if so forward the request to that court, noting what cases are pending, the attorney representing the defendant on those charges, and whether or not the defendant is in custody.

It shall be standard practice for a judge to appoint one (1) attorney per case. For good cause shown, the judge may appoint an additional attorney to assist with “A” list cases. In Capital cases wherein the State is seeking the death penalty, (presumed unless the State has filed Notice of State’s Intention To Not Seek The Death Penalty), the judge shall appoint two (2) attorneys in compliance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 26.052(e). If the State files a Notice of Intention To Not Seek The Death Penalty, it shall be standard practice for the appointing judge to revert to the appointment system stated above and release the non-lead attorney from his/her representation of the defendant. For good cause shown, the second attorney may remain on the case to assist the lead attorney.

Fee and Expense Payment Process

10/10/2023

Payment for Services Rendered

Payment Schedule:

Pursuant to Article 26.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the District Courts of Denton County, Texas adopt the following fee schedule for court appointed attorneys. Accordingly, a copy of this Indigent Defense Plan for the Denton County District Courts will be sent to the Denton County Commissioners Court upon its adoption.

The appointed attorney may elect compensation on a fixed fee basis as outlined below:

ACTIVITY	FLAT FEE

Investigator/Expert Fee(s)	$75/hour with proper Motion and Order
Dismissal	$200
Plea (State Jail/3^rd Degree)	$700, $100 for each additional case
Plea (2^nd Degree)	$800, $125 for each additional case
Plea (1^st Degree)	$900, $125 for each additional case
Appeals	$1,500

The appointed attorney may elect compensation on an hourly basis as outlined below:

ACTIVITY	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM

Legal Assistant Rate (all cases)	$65/hour	$65/hour
Attorney Services (State Jail and 3^rd Degree)	$150/hour	$150/hour
Appeals (State Jail and 3^rd Degree)	$150/hour	$150/hour
Attorney (Services 1^st and 2^nd Degree)	$175/hour	$175/hour
Appeals (1^st and 2^nd Degree)	$175/hour	$175/hour
Death Penalty	$175/hour (2^nd chair)	$200/hour (1^st chair)

Mileage will be paid at the standard IRS mileage rate, at the time of travel. Mileage to and from the courthouse will not be paid. An attorney must include actual mileage in itemized billing with the corresponding rate. Mileage will not be considered if not included in itemized billing.

If an attorney’s court appointed client is temporarily housed outside of the Denton County jail, hourly payments will be made at the rate of $65 per hour for travel time accrued by the attorney. The Court will consider no other travel time.

Incidental expenses related to research, jail visits, and conferences with clients or witnesses, postage, copying, courier fees, file maintenance or setup fees, paralegal’s assistance or any other miscellaneous expenses are included in the above schedules and will not be compensated separately. The Court will pay the hourly rates or flat fees as established by the approved Schedule For Court-Appointed Attorney’s Fees for the District Courts of Denton County, Texas.

Investigation and Expert Expenses:

Pursuant to Article 26.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, appointed counsel shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses, for investigation and for mental health and other experts. Expenses incurred with prior court approval shall be reimbursed in the same manner provided for by Articles 26.052(f) and (g), of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and expenses incurred without prior court approval shall be reimbursed in the manner provided for by Article 26.052(h) of The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Unless good cause is shown prior approval of the court should be obtained to reimburse the attorney for the cost of an investigator or expert, and should not exceed $500.00. This reimbursement is in addition to any amounts paid to the appointed attorney for services performed. The payments for experts may be paid to the attorney to reimburse the attorney for the cost or directly to the expert.

The Court will pay the hourly rates as established by the approved Schedule for Court-Appointed Attorney’s Fees for the District Courts of Denton County, Texas for expert fees or investigator fees.

Application for Payment:

No court will approve payment and the Auditor will not pay a request for payment of counsel unless submitted on a completed Attorney Fees Expense Claim Form – Denton County District Courts.

If an attorney elects to be compensated on an hourly basis, the attorney must attach a single copy of a detailed explanation of services performed including the date performed, the time spent on each activity, and a designation of in court or out of court time. For services performed on appeal the attorney must attach one hard copy of the brief submitted to the appellate court. The attorney must also designate all non-attorney expenses as other direct litigation expenditure.

All attorney bills must be reviewed by District Court Administration unless authorized by the Court – or – the attorney is requesting a flat fee.

Attorney bills for probation, pretrial diversion, and specialty courts must be submitted to District Court Administration two business days prior to the date of the plea hearing. If these bills are not submitted timely the attorney may be required to accept the appropriate flat fee, reset the plea hearing, or have the Court review and approve the bill.

Attorney bills for jail or prison time can be turned in prior to the date of the plea hearing, at the time of the plea hearing, or after the disposition of the case(s). If the attorney bill is submitted over one year after date of disposition, the Court will have the discretion to accept the bill and process for payment.

Attorney bills for cases the attorney has been removed from (e.g. substituted) can be submitted after the date of removal. Attorney bills for cases, which have been dismissed or declined, can be submitted after date of disposition. Attorney bills for adjudication/revocation proceedings, which have been withdrawn or disposed of, can be submitted after resolution of the case. If the attorney bill is submitted over one year after date of disposition, the Court will have the discretion to accept the bill and process for payment.

Except on good cause shown, no partial payment or advance payment will be made on cases. However, payment for the trial court disposition may be paid pending appeal with payment for the services performed on appeal made at the conclusion of all appeals.

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

Miscellaneous

10/10/2023

additional LANGUAGE added to qualify for grant monIES

Abiding by laws:

All persons in Denton County should abide by all applicable laws. This proclamation includes arresting officers, and magistrate as more specifically set forth below.

Arresting officers shall comply with Article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, to-wit; In each case enumerated in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the person making an arrest in Denton County or the person having custody of the person arrested shall without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested, take the person arrested or have him taken before some Denton County magistrate or, if necessary to provide more expeditiously to the person arrested the warnings described by Article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, before a magistrate in a county bordering Denton County. The arrested person may be taken before the magistrate in person or the image of the arrested person may be broadcast by closed circuit television to the magistrate.

Magistrates shall comply with Article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, to-wit; the magistrate shall inform the person arrested of the person's right to request the appointment of counsel if the person cannot afford counsel. The magistrate shall inform the person arrested of the procedures for requesting appointment of counsel and provide to the person arrested the Request for Appointed Counsel Form. If the person does not speak and understand the English language or is deaf, the magistrate shall inform the person in a manner consistent with Articles 38.30 and 38.31 of The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, as appropriate. The magistrate shall ensure reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms for requesting appointment of counsel is provided to the person at the same time. The magistrate shall without unnecessary delay, but not later than 24 hours after the person arrested requests appointment of counsel, transmit, or cause to be transmitted to Denton County Indigent Defense (Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney, 2^nd Floor, Denton, Texas 76209) the forms requesting the appointment of counsel. The magistrate may use the model magistrate’s warning form promulgated by the Task Force of Indigent Defense and found on the internet at http://www.courts.state.tx.us/tfid.

The Right of Attorneys to Appeal Fee Payment:

An Attorney shall have the rights bestowed on him by Article 26.05(c) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, to wit; an attorney whose request for payment is disapproved may appeal the disapproval by filing a motion with the Presiding Judge of The Eighth Administrative Judicial Region (The Honorable David Evans, Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Bldg., 100 North Calhoun St., Fort Worth, Texas 76196) The motion should contain a short concise statement explaining why the attorney feels the disapproval was improper or unfair and include any documents the attorney wishes the Presiding Judge to consider in ruling on the attorneys appeal (i.e. the Attorney Fees Expense Claim form and any documents generated by the District Judge in disapproving the attorney’s claim). The Motion should be delivered to Eighth Administrative Judicial Regional Office, 100 N. Calhoun St., 2^nd Floor, Fort Worth, Texas 76196.

Plan Documents

Denton District Court Affidavit of Indigence.pdf (7/14/2022 3:55:35 PM) view
Denton District Court Attorney Fee Schedule.pdf (10/10/2023 2:19:21 PM) view
Denton District Court Attorney Fee Voucher.pdf (10/10/2023 2:19:33 PM) view
Denton District Court Defense Attorney Reporting Form & Instructions .pdf (10/29/2013 1:15:44 PM) view
Denton District Court Denton District Court Indigent Defense Plan for the year 2021.pdf (10/5/2021 8:17:49 AM) view
Denton District Court Managed Assigned Counsel Plan of Operation.pdf (10/22/2019 12:11:49 PM) view
Denton District Court SB 1517 -Writ or Bond Appointment Order.pdf (10/23/2015 11:13:40 AM) view