Coke, Concho, Irion, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling and Tom Green Juvenile Board Plan
Prompt Detention Hearings
10/31/2023

PROMPT DETENTION HEARINGS

A.    A child taken into custody must either be brought to a juvenile processing office without unnecessary delay where they may not be detained for longer than six hours pursuant to §52.025, Family Code, or another disposition authorized by §52.02, Family Code, including referral to the office designated by the juvenile board as intake for the juvenile court.  The intake officer shall process the child according the requirement of §53.01, Family Code, and shall also inform the child and the child’s parents of the right to appointed counsel if they are indigent and provide a form for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment of counsel. If the child is not released by intake, then a Detention Hearing shall be held not later than the second working day after the child is taken into custody unless the child is detained on a Friday, Saturday or listed holiday in which case the detention hearing shall be held on the first working day after the child is taken into custody, pursuant to the Texas Family Code. 

B.     Prior to the detention hearing the court shall inform the parties of the child’s right to counsel and to appoint counsel if they are indigent, and of the child’s right to remain silent as to the alleged conduct.

C.     The detention hearing may be conducted without the presence of the child’s parent(s) or other responsible adult(s), however, in these cases the court must immediately appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem to represent the child.

D.    The court shall provide the attorney for the child access to all written matter to be considered by the Court in making the detention decision.

Indigence Determination Standards
10/31/2023

PROCEDURES AND FINANCIAL STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING INDIGENT STATUS AND APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY

 

A.    Definitions, as used in this rule:

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

                              ii.            “Net household income” in the case of a child is the income of the child’s parents or other person determined responsible for the support of the child. 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 person determined responsible for the support of the child has no income or lesser income.

                            iii.            “Household” means all individuals who are actually dependent on the child’s parent(s) or person(s) deemed responsible for the support of the child, for financial support.

                            iv.            “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.            A child is presumed indigent if any of the following conditions or factors are present:

1.      At the time of requesting appointed counsel, a child is presumed indigent if the child’s parent(s) or other person(s) determined responsible for the support of the child is eligible to receive food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, or public housing.

2.      The net household income of the child’s parent(s) or other person(s) determined responsible for the support of the child does not exceed 125% of the Poverty Guidelines as revised annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and published in the Federal Register;

3.      The child’s parent(s) or other person(s) determined responsible for the support of the child 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

                              ii.            The child who does not meet any of the standards above shall nevertheless be considered indigent if the child’s parent(s) or other person(s) responsible for the child is unable to retain private counsel without substantial hardship. In considering if obtaining private counsel will create a substantial hardship, the appointing authority shall take into account:

1.      the nature of the 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 child, the child’s parent(s)/person(s) responsible, and other dependents of the child’s parent(s)/person(s) responsible; 

5.      child’s parent(s’) income or the income of other person(s) determined responsible for the support of the child;

6.      source of income;

7.      assets and property owned by the child, child’s parent(s), or other person(s) determined responsible for support of the child;

8.      outstanding obligations;

9.      necessary expenses; and

10.  the number and ages of any siblings of the child.

                            iii.            Factors NOT to be considered in determining indigence:

1.      The resources available to friends or relatives of the child, other than the child’s parent(s) or other person(s) deemed responsible for the child, may not be considered in determining whether the child is indigent.

2.      Only the child's parent(s) or other person(s) responsible for the child and the child’s financial circumstances as measured by the financial standards stated in this rule shall be used as the basis for determining indigence.

C.     Indigence Proceedings:

                                i.            The appointing authority can require the child and the child’s parent(s) or other person(s) responsible for the child to respond to questions about the child’s household financial status, produce documentation supporting financial information provided, and/or order a court official to verify financial information provided.

                              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 child is (or is not) indigent; or

2.      Impeaching direct testimony of the child or the child’s parent(s)/person(s) responsible regarding the child’s indigence.

                            iii.            A request by the appointing authority for additional information, documentation, and/or verification cannot delay appointment of counsel beyond the timelines specified in these rules.

                            iv.            A child determined to be indigent is presumed to remain indigent for the remainder of the case unless a material change in the child’s financial circumstances occurs.

1.      A child’s status as indigent or not indigent may be reviewed in a formal hearing at any stage of a court. The child’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 child’s parent(s)/person(s) responsible and the child’s financial circumstances; or

b.      Additional information regarding the child’s parent(s)/person(s) responsible and the child’s financial circumstances that shows that they do not meet any of the standards for indigence contained in these rules.

2.      If a child 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 child’s parent(s) or other person(s) responsible for the child 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 child’s parent(s) or other person(s) responsible for the child to pay during the pendency of the charges or, if found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or CINS, as court costs the amount that it finds the child’s parent(s) or other person(s) responsible for the child is able to pay.



Minimum Attorney Qualifications
10/31/2023

ATTORNEY QUALIFICATIONS


A.  Purpose and Scope of Standards:  The following standards are designed to provide for a systematic method of providing qualified counsel to indigent juveniles in juvenile cases. These standards address principles of eligibility and certification for trial, writs of habeas corpus, modifications and revocations of probation and appellate counsel.

 

B.  General Principles of Eligibility:  The following standards shall be applied to attorney certification under any part of these standards.

 

1. Eligibility:   The attorney shall be familiar with the practice and procedure of the criminal courts of Texas and shall be a licensed member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas or admitted pro hoc vice.  Attorneys shall be knowledgeable in juvenile law and be aware of collateral consequences of a juvenile adjudication and disposition. Practice before a criminal court in most instances shall be considered as experience in juvenile litigation for purpose of these standards.  Pro bono service of counsel shall also be considered as experience for purpose of these standards. The Concho Valley Public Defender's Office (CVPDO) will have priority appointment in up to 75% of all non-conflict juvenile cases, as set forth herein.

 

2. Evidentiary Matters: The attorney shall be familiar with the Texas Family Code, the Texas Penal Code, the Texas Rules of Evidence, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.  In addition, the attorney shall have knowledge and have demonstrated an understanding of the use of expert witnesses evidence, including, but not limited to, psychiatric and forensic evidence.

 

3. Co-Counsel: If the Court appoints co-counsel for any offense, it shall be at the discretion of the Court as to the qualification of counsel.

 

4.  Initial Minimum Education Requirements: Within two (2) years of an initial application and preliminary certification under these standards, all attorneys shall complete a minimum of eight (8) hours approved training in the field of juvenile law and criminal law.  No less than 4 hours of this amount shall be in juvenile law and procedure.  In order for any activity to be approved the subject matter must directly relate to juvenile law, criminal law or legal ethics and the activity must have been approved by the State Bar of Texas Committee on Minimum Continuing Legal Education.  For purposes of this education requirement, an attorney may receive credit for self-study activities of no more than four (4) hours,  if that study would be accepted by the State Bar of Texas Committee on Minimum Continuing Legal Education.

 

5. Continuing Minimum Education Requirements: To maintain eligibility to remain on the juvenile list of attorneys, an attorney shall successfully complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of State Bar of Texas MCLE approved training in the field of juvenile law or criminal law, ethics, evidence or trial practice biennially.  For purposes of this education requirement, an attorney may receive credit for self-study activities of no more than four (4) hours, if that study would be accepted by the State Bar of Texas Committee on Minimum Continuing Legal Education.

 

C.  Standards for Detention Hearings, Child in Need of Supervision Cases and Misdemeanor Level Delinquent Conduct Cases: The following minimum standards shall be applied to an attorney seeking inclusion on the approved attorney list for CHINS or Misdemeanor Level Delinquent Conduct cases:

 

a. be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;

b. have familiarity with the requisite court system;

c. have at least six (6) months of experience in juvenile criminal or adult criminal litigation;


d.  have tried to verdict as lead or co-counsel for the defense or the prosecution at least two (2) trials of any Class A or B misdemeanor level or felony level cases (whether adult or juvenile case).

 

D.  Standards in Felony level Delinquent Conduct Cases:  The following minimum standards shall be applied to an attorney seeking inclusion on the approved attorney list as lead counsel for Delinquent Conduct cases with the following felony penalty designation:

 

1. First Degree and  Second Degree Felonies (This category also includes enhanced felonies which would carry a first degree range of punishment for an adult):

  a.  be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;

  b.  have familiarity with the requisite court system;

c.  have  three (3) years experience in juvenile criminal or adult criminal litigation;

d.  have tried to verdict as lead counsel or co-counsel for the defense or the prosecution at least three (3) trials of any grade of felony (whether adult or juvenile case). At least two (2) of these trials must be jury trials (whether adult or juvenile case).

 

2.  Third Degree and State Jail Felonies.  (This category includes enhanced State Jail felonies.):

 

a.  be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;

b.  have familiarity with the requisite court system;

c.  have at least two  (2) years of experience in juvenile criminal or adult criminal litigation;

d.  have tried to verdict as lead or co-counsel for the defense or the prosecution at least two (2) trials of any State Jail felonies or Class A or B misdemeanor level cases (whether adult or juvenile case).   At least (1) of these trials must be a jury trial(whether adult or juvenile case).

 

3. Motion To Modify Probation (Non-revocation cases): the standards shall be the same as for attorneys eligible to act as lead counsel in CHINS and Misdemeanor level Delinquent cases.

 

  4.  Motion to Revoke Probation (Texas Juvenile Justice Department commitment cases): the standards shall be the same as for attorneys eligible to act as lead counsel in First Degree and Second Degree cases.

 

  5.    Waiver of Exclusive Juvenile Jurisdiction (Certification) cases and Determinate Sentence cases:  the standards shall be the same as for attorneys eligible to act as lead counsel in First Degree and Second Degree cases.

 

E.  Appellate Counsel:  The following minimum standards shall be applied to an attorney seeking certification as appellate counsel for appeals:

 

1. First and Second Degree Felonies:

a.  have (3) years of experience in criminal litigation and;

b. be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;

c.  have filed a brief or argued two (2) cases before the Courts of Appeal of Texas, the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals or United States Supreme Court.

 

2. In all other felonies and misdemeanors:

a. be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;

b. an attorney shall have (1) year experience in appellate practice and procedure and filed a brief or argued a case before the Courts of Appeal for the State of Texas, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals or United States Supreme Court or shall have (2) years of general experience in criminal litigation.

 

F.  Counsel for Writs of Habeas Corpus: Counsel shall have at least 1 year experience in criminal or juvenile litigation.

 

 

AND AS SUPPLEMENTED BY AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE JUVENILE BOARD IN 2004:

 

Appointment in Juvenile Cases. 

An attorney who meets the requirements of this rule may be appointed to represent an indigent juvenile detained for or accused of engaging in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision, 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:

(1) Completes a minimum of six hours of continuing legal education pertaining to juvenile law during each 12 month reporting period.  The first reporting period will begin on April 27, 2003, and then on the first day of each reporting period thereafter.  Continuing legal education may include activities accredited under Section 4, Article XII, 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

(2) Is currently certified in juvenile law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

 

Reporting Period.

(a) 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 requirement for the initial year. 

(b) 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.

(c) To be included on the appointment list, each attorney must annually submit an affidavit to the appropriate court staff detailing the juvenile continuing legal education activities completed in the prior year.  Alternatively, an attorney may annually submit documentation showing the attorney is currently certified as a specialist in juvenile law. An attorney who is certified in juvenile law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization is deemed to have satisfied all CLE requirements for as long as board certification is maintained and proof thereof is annually provided to the Court Administrator.

 

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 juvenile law.

No later than October 15 of each year, each attorney must submit a written report on the form prescribed by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission describing the percentage of the attorney's practice time that was dedicated to work based on appointments accepted in the County or District for adult criminal cases and for juvenile delinquency cases for the prior 12 months that begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The report must be submitted through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission’s online portal.

Prompt Appointment of Counsel
10/31/2023

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

A.    Appointment of Counsel for Children in Detention

                                            i.      Prior to the detention hearing the court shall inform the parties of the child’s right to counsel and to appointed counsel if they are indigent, and of the child’s right to remain silent as to the alleged conduct.

                                          ii.      Prior to the initial detention hearing, the court shall provide the attorney for the child with access to all written matter to be considered by the court in making the detention decision.

                                        iii.      If there is no parent or other responsible adult present, the court must appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem for the child.

                                        iv.      If the juvenile is detained, the child has an immediate right to counsel. If counsel has not already been appointed, the court must either appoint counsel or direct the juvenile’s parent or other responsible adult to retain an attorney promptly. The court may enforce an order to retain counsel by appointing an attorney to represent the child and requiring that the child’s parent or other responsible adult reimburse the court for attorneys’ fees.  

                                          v.      Upon appointment, the court administrator shall notify the appointed attorney by fax, e-mail, or personal contact of the appointment and the scheduled hearing time and date.

                                        vi.      The appointed attorney shall make every reasonable effort to contact a child in detention by the end of the first working day after receiving the notice of appointment or to inform the court that the appointment cannot be accepted.  Contacting the child in detention may be by personal visit (including contact during a detention hearing), by phone, or by video teleconference. Contacting the court may be by fax, email, phone or personal visit. A court-appointed attorney shall contact the child, in one of the ways mentioned above, no less than once every ten working days while the child remains in detention.

                                      vii.      An attorney appointed for a detention hearing shall continue to represent the child until the case is terminated, the family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is appointed by the juvenile court. Release of the child from detention does not terminate the attorney’s representation.

                                    viii.      Court-appointed attorneys shall make every effort to comply with the Texas State Bar Code of Ethics for communication with a client.

B.     Appointment of Counsel for Children not Detained at Intake

                                            i.      If the child is released from detention and if a petition to adjudicate or a motion to modify is filed, the juvenile court will use the financial forms gathered at intake to make a determination of indigence. If no financial information is available, the juvenile court shall promptly summon the child’s parent/guardian/custodian to the court or juvenile probation office so that financial information may be gathered for a determination of indigence.

                                          ii.      If the court makes a finding of indigence, the court shall appoint an attorney on or before the fifth working day after:

a.       The date a petition for adjudication or discretionary transfer hearing has been served on the child; or

b.      A motion to modify disposition seeking commitment to TYC or placing in secure correctional facility has been filed.

                                        iii.      If the family does not qualify for appointed counsel or if the parent or guardian is not available, and the family fails to provide an attorney, the juvenile court may appoint an attorney in any case in which it deems representation necessary to protect the interests of the child.

                                        iv.      The prosecuting attorney/court clerk shall notify the juvenile court upon the filing of and return of service of a motion to modify or the return of service of a petition for adjudication or discretionary transfer.

Attorney Selection Process
10/31/2023

SELECTION OF ATTORNEYS FOR COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL 

 

A. CVPDO Priority: A juvenile court or court's designee appointing an attorney in a juvenile case, will give priority appointment to the Concho Valley Public Defender's Office (CVPDO) for up to 75% of all non-conflict cases. However, where the appointment of the CVPDO is not appropriate due to conflict of interest or other good cause as determined by the court, the court shall appoint an attorney by using the public appointment list and implementing a system of rotation.


B. Child in Need of Supervision (CHINS) cases:

 

1.  The Juvenile Board shall approve a list of attorneys eligible for appointment in CHINS cases on or before January 1 of each year and such list shall be posted outside of the District Clerk's office and available to the public upon request.  The list may be modified from time to time as necessary.

 

2.  The Juvenile Board shall annually review, and make additions and deletions to the list and approve the list of eligible court appointed lawyers and cause the list to be posted outside the District Clerk's office and made available to the public upon request.

 

  C. Delinquent Conduct Cases.  The Juvenile Board shall establish the following lists from which lawyers for indigent juvenile respondents shall be appointed in Delinquent Conduct cases: (1) First Degree; (2) Second Degree; (3) Third Degree; (4) State Jail Felonies; (5) Waiver of Exclusive Juvenile Jurisdiction cases; (6) Determinate Sentence cases; and Motions to Modify or Revoke Probation.

 

1.  The Juvenile Board shall approve the lists of eligible attorneys on or before January 1 of each year and such lists shall be posted outside of the District Clerk's office and be available to the public upon request. The lists may be modified from time to time as necessary.

 

2.  The Juvenile Board shall annually review, make additions and deletions to the lists, approve the lists and cause the same to be posted outside the District Clerk's office and made available to the public upon request.

 

3.  Those attorneys who the Juvenile Board have, by a majority vote of the Board, been determined to not be qualified to represent juvenile respondents in juvenile cases will be excluded from the lists for appointments for representation of juveniles.  An attorney may appeal his inclusion or exclusion from the list by requesting a conference with the Juvenile Board.

 

  D. Appellate and Writ Counsel.  The Juvenile Board shall also establish lists from which lawyers for indigent juvenile respondents shall be appointed in Appeals and Writs of Habeas Corpus cases, which list shall be approved and posted in the same manner as those for attorney representation of juvenile cases listed above.


APPOINTMENT PROCESS

 

A.  If counsel has not been retained for the Juvenile prior to the initial detention hearing, upon a finding of indigency and request for court appointed counsel, a District Judge or Magistrate, sitting as the Juvenile Court, shall appoint counsel to represent the juvenile.

 

B. The judge shall sign an Order Appointing Counsel and cause it to be delivered to the attorney. The staff of the District Judge or Magistrate shall immediately contact the attorney by phone, fax, email, or in person and notify the attorney of the appointment and the last known location of the Juvenile.

 

C.  The judge shall appoint an attorney whose name appears from the next five names that appear in order on the list that corresponds to the most serious offense as currently charged, unless:

 

1.  the juvenile does not understand English, in which case the judge will appoint the lawyer who both appears next in order on the list and can communicate with the juvenile in the juvenile’s dominant language;

 

2.  In special circumstances, the judge making the appointment enters a written finding of good cause on the record for appointing any qualified, willing attorney regardless of whether the attorney’s name is among the first five names on the appropriate list.

 

D.  Whenever a lawyer is appointed out of order under the above rules, the lawyer who is appointed out of order will move to the last place in order on that list, and any lawyer who was not appointed will remain at the top of the list until appointed or removed from the list.

 

E.  Each lawyer appointed to represent a juvenile is appointed to represent the juvenile until the case is concluded, a new lawyer is hired by the juvenile's family or a new attorney is appointed by the court.

 

F.  At the conclusion of all proceedings in the trial court, including post-trial motions, if an indigent juvenile wishes to appeal, and if appropriate, permission is granted to appeal, the judge will appoint the lawyer whose name appears next in order on the Appellate List subject to the same rotation requirements as set forth herein.

 

G. Notwithstanding the above procedures, the judge may appoint an attorney who represented the juvenile in the original proceeding, to represent the juvenile in subsequent proceedings.

 


 


Fee and Expense Payment Process
10/19/2017

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 the Juvenile Board.

B.     Payment Process - No payment of attorney’s fees will be made other than in accordance with the rules set forth below.

                                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 60th 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.

                              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:

1.      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.

 

Miscellaneous
10/31/2023

RESPONSIBILITY OF COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL

 

Court appointed counsel shall make every reasonable effort to contact the juvenile not later than the end of the first working day after appointment and to interview the juvenile as soon as practicable. Contacting the juvenile in detention may be by personal visit (including contact during a detention hearing), by phone, or by video teleconference. Court appointed counsel shall contact the juvenile no less than once every ten working days while the juvenile remains in detention.

If the juvenile is not detained, a court appointed attorney shall interview the juvenile prior to the first scheduled court hearing and no later than fifteen working days after the attorney is appointed.

 

Court appointed counsel shall timely inform the client of any matter relating to the preparation, trial, and disposition of the case, appellate and writ rights, deadlines, and procedures for proper processing, and such other matters as necessary to provide reasonable assistance of counsel. Counsel shall maintain reasonable communication with the juvenile and keep the client informed about the status of the case as well as investigate any factual defense reasonable available to the juvenile. Counsel shall advise the juvenile on all matters involving the case and such collateral matters as may reasonably be required to aid the client in making appropriate decisions about the case. Counsel is expected to perform the attorney's duty owed to the juvenile in accordance with these procedures, the requirements of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Family Code and applicable ethical rules.

 

An appointed attorney shall represent the Juvenile until the case is terminated, the family retains an attorney, or a new attorney is appointed by the court Court appointed attorneys shall make every effort to comply with the State Bar of Texas ethical standards for communication with a client.

 

A court may replace an attorney if the appointed attorney does not make an effort to interview the Juvenile by the end of the 7th working day or does not interview the Juvenile as soon as possible, or may sanction said attorney for violation of those provisions.

 

A majority of the Juvenile Board in the county may remove an attorney from consideration for appointments, if the attorney intentionally or repeatedly does not fulfill the attorney’s duties as required by law, rules, local rules, or provisions for providing reasonable assistance to a Juvenile.  

 

 LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE'S REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

The above Standing Order was adopted by unanimous vote of the below signed Juvenile Board and is effective beginning January 1, 2002. 

 

            MISCELLANEOUS

 

Nothing in this Policy limits the Court’s inherent powers, including among other powers, the power to appoint attorneys in the interest of justice and the power to administer the Court’s docket.

Plan Documents
Coke Concho Irion Runnels Schleicher Sterling Tom Green Juvenile Board Affidavit of Indigence.wpd (11/16/2009 9:41:57 AM) view
Coke Concho Irion Runnels Schleicher Sterling Tom Green Juvenile Board Attorney Fee Schedule.docx (1/13/2022 4:54:16 PM) view
Coke Concho Irion Runnels Schleicher Sterling Tom Green Juvenile Board Attorney Fee Voucher.doc (11/16/2009 11:01:58 AM) view
Coke Concho Irion Runnels Schleicher Sterling Tom Green Juvenile Board Public Defender Plan or Proposal.pdf (2/7/2023 9:53:38 AM) view