COUNTY OF GALVESTON 

District Courts / County Courts at Law Texas Fair Defense Act - Galveston County 

Effective January 1, 2003

AMENDED

Amended 05/31/2005 

Amended 01/17/2006 

Amended 10/01/2007 

Amended 05/11/2010 

Amended 09/04/2010 

Amended 11/23/2011 

Amended 10/29/2015  

Amended 10/20/2016 

Amended 10/01/2018 

Amended 08/08/2019 

Amended 06/24/2021 

Amended 09/26/2024 

   

EFFECTIVE DATE - August 8, 2019

Be it remembered that on this date the County Court at Law Judges and District Court Judges for Galveston County, Texas hereby adopt these rules for the timely and fair appointment of counsel for indigent accused persons in Galveston County, Texas. This document is the Galveston County Plan in conformance with the requirements of the Texas Fair Defense Act.

Prompt Magistration 10/28/2022

I.

PROMPT MAGISTRATION

1. Texas Code Crim. Procedure Art 14.06 requires that the arresting officer, or the person having custody of the arrestee, shall take the arrestee before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested.

II.

MAGISTRATION OF DEFENDANTS

1.         Persons in custody brought before a magistrate shall be informed by the magistrate of the right to request counsel under C.C.P Article 15.17 Subsection (e). A record will be made of these proceedings and shall be preserved as required by C.C.P Article 15.17 Subsection (f).

2.         If the defendant asks that an attorney be appointed, the magistrate ensures that the defendant is provided reasonable assistance, including an interpreter if necessary, in filling out a request for appointed counsel.

3.         For defendants appearing before a magistrate in the Galveston County Jail, The Personal Bond Office offers all arrestees an opportunity to complete an Affidavit of Financial Conditions prior to magistrate court. If appointed counsel is requested at the time of magistration, the arrestee certifies the accuracy of their Affidavit for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointed counsel.

4.         For defendants appearing before a magistrate outside the Galveston County Jail or who have declined to complete an Affidavit of Financial Conditions, if appointed counsel is requested at the time of magistration, the magistrate ensures that the defendant is provided reasonable assistance in completing the Pauper's Oath.

5.         For a defendant arrested on an out-of-county warrant, the magistrate must ask if the defendant wants to request counsel, inform the defendant of the procedures for requesting counsel, and ensure the defendant is provided reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms for requesting counsel in the county issuing the warrant as required by C.C.P Article 15.18(a-1).

6.         Requests for counsel made by defendants arrested on out-of­county warrants must be transmitted to the appointing authority of the county issuing the warrant within 24 hours of the request being made as required by C.C.P Article 15.18(a-1).

III.

Indigence Determination Standards 03/09/2022

PROCEDURES AND FINANCIAL STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING INDIGENCY STATUS

The assigned judge of the District or County Courts at Law shall review the information and follow the procedures to determine whether a defendant is indigent, as follows:

l.                   Definitions. As used in this rule:

(a)      "Net household income," means all income of the defendant and spousal income actually available to the defendant. 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 defendant has no income or lesser income.

(b)      "Non-exempt assets and property," means cash in hand, stocks and bonds, accounts at financial institutions, and equity in real or personal property that can be readily converted to cash, other than assets and property exempt from attachment under state law.

(c)      "Household," means all individuals who are actually dependent on the defendant for financial support.

(d)      "The cost of obtaining competent private legal representation" includes the reasonable cost for support services, such as investigators and expert witnesses, as necessary and appropriate given the nature of the case. 

2.                  Financial Standards for Determining Indigence. The financial standards set forth below shall be used to determine whether a defendant is indigent and shall be applied equally to each defendant in the county.

 

(a)               A defendant is considered indigent if:

(1)     the defendant's net household income does not exceed 125% of the Poverty Guidelines as established and revised bi­ annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and published in the Federal Register; and,

(2)     the value of the non-exempt assets and property owned by the defendant:

(i)       does not exceed $2,500.00; 

(ii)     does not exceed $5,000.00 in the case of a defendant whose household includes a person who is age 60 or over, disabled, or institutionalized; or

(iii)   does not exceed double the estimated cost of obtaining competent private legal representation on the offense(s) with which the defendant is charged.

(b)              A defendant is considered indigent if, at the time of requesting appointed counsel, the defendant or the defendant's dependents have been determined to be eligible to receive food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, or public housing.

(c)               Defendant is considered indigent if the defendant:

(1)     is currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution, is currently held in custody, is currently residing in a public mental health facility, or is the subject of a proceeding in which admission or commitment to such a mental health facility is sought; and, 

(2)     has no non-exempt assets or property in excess of the amounts specified in Section III Standards of Determining Indigency Status paragraph 2. 

(d)              A defendant who does not meet any of the financial standards above shall nevertheless be determined indigent if the defendant is otherwise unable to retain private counsel without substantial hardship to the defendant or the defendant's dependents, taking into account the nature of the criminal charge, the anticipated complexity of the defense, the estimated cost of obtaining competent private legal representation for the matter charged, and the amount needed for the support of the defendant and the defendant's dependents. 

3.                   Appointing Counsel for Partially Indigent Defendants

(1)     A defendant shall be considered partially indigent if the defendant does not meet any of the standards for indigence set forth in Section III Standards of Determining Indigency Status paragraph 2 and:

(2)     The defendant's net household income is greater than 125% but does not exceed 175% of the Poverty Guidelines as established and revised annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and published in the Federal Register; and 

(3)     The value of the non-exempt assets and property owned by the defendant: 

(i)       does not exceed $2,500.00;

(ii)     does not exceed $5,000.00 in the case of a defendant whose household includes a person who is age 60 or over, disabled, or institutionalized; or

(iii)   does not exceed double the estimated cost of obtaining private legal representation on the offense with which the defendant is charged.

(b)              defendant determined to be partially indigent shall be eligible for appointment of counsel only upon payment to the county of an appointment fee of $100 if charged with one or more misdemeanors or $200 if charged with one or more felonies. If a defendant determined to be partially indigent pleads or is found guilty, the court may order the defendant to comply with a payment schedule to reimburse the county for all indigent defense costs in the case.

4.                   Factors Not to be Considered

(a)               A defendant's posting of bail or ability to post bail may not be considered in determining whether the defendant is indigent or partially indigent. Even when a defendant has posted bail, the defendant's financial circumstances are measured by the financial standards stated in this rule. 

(b)              The resources available to friends of the defendant may not be considered in determining whether the defendant is indigent. Only the defendant's financial circumstances as measured by the financial standards stated in this rule shall be used as the basis for determining indigence. 

5.                   Procedures for Determining Indigence

(a)               As soon as possible following arrest, but in no event not later than the magistrate hearing, the Magistrate shall provide any person who wishes to request appointment of counsel a form the person will complete, under oath, providing the required information about the person's financial resources. The Magistrate will indicate that the person requests appointment of counsel. The Magistrate shall provide the arrested person reasonable assistance in completing the form; 

(b)              The Magistrate shall transmit the completed form to the appropriate judge or person designated by the judges to appoint counsel;

(c)               The appointing judge or the person designated by the judge to appoint counsel will determine if the person meets the financial standards for indigence in Section III Standards of Determining Indigency Status paragraph 2.

(d)              The determination will be recorded on the form requesting appointment of counsel and the form will be filed with the other orders in the case;

(e)               The arrested person may be required by the appointing judge, or the judge presiding over the case, to respond to the court's inquiry regarding the person's financial resources;

(f)                A written or oral statement elicited under this article or evidence derived from the statement may not be used for any purpose, except to determine the defendant's indigence or to impeach the direct testimony of the defendant regarding the defendant's indigence.

(g)              A defendant determined to be indigent is presumed to remain indigent for the remainder of the case unless a material change in the defendant's financial circumstances occurs.

(h)              A defendant's status as indigent or not indigent may be reviewed in a formal hearing at any stage of a court proceeding based on evidence of a material change in the defendant's financial circumstances. A defendant's status as indigent or not indigent also may be reviewed in a formal hearing at any stage of a court proceeding based on additional information regarding financial circumstances. If a defendant previously determined to be indigent is subsequently determined not to be indigent, the attorney shall be compensated by the County in accordance with these Rules for time reasonably expended on the case; 

(i)                Upon a determination of indigency, the appointing judge shall sign the form indicating the accused is indigent and shall immediately appoint an attorney pursuant to the approved attorney appointment list plan. The Magistrate is not authorized to appoint counsel and shall transmit or cause to be delivered immediately to the Indigent Defense Coordinator the request for appointment of lawyer form, finding of probable cause form, indigency application form, including finding of indigency. The Indigent Defense Coordinator shall deliver the received information to the assigned misdemeanor or felony Judge no later than the next working day. 

6.                   Payment by Defendant.

A court that finds that a criminal defendant has financial resources to offset, in part or in whole, the costs of legal services provided under this section may order the defendant to pay the County all or a portion of the costs of legal services provided that the Court finds that the defendant is able to pay. If a court places a defendant on probation or deferred adjudication the court, as a condition of probation, may require repayment of all or a portion of the county's costs of providing legal representation if it does not impose a substantial financial hardship on the defendant or defendant's legal dependents. 

IV.

CRIMINAL COURTS BOARD

The Criminal Courts Board is composed of the Judges of the 10^th, 56^th, 122^nd, 212^th, 306^th, and 405^th District Courts and the Judges of County Courts at Law Numbers 1, 2, and 3. The Board, by majority vote, will elect a chair and vice-chair who will assume that position on January 1, 2002 and serve a term of (2) years. Thereafter, the Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected in January, for a term of two (2) years. The Vice-Chair shall preside in the Chair's absence. The Board may periodically adopt policies, procedures and guidelines to implement the Indigency Plan and guarantee effective representation to all indigent felony and Class A&B misdemeanor offenders. If any new District Court or County Court at Law with criminal jurisdiction shall be created, the Judge of the newly created court shall immediately become a member of the Criminal Courts Board. 

The Criminal Courts Board shall meet at least once every two (2) months, but may meet more frequently, at the discretion of the Chair. The presence of five (5) Judges at a Board meeting constitutes a quorum and no vote on any matter may be taken if less than five (5) Judges are in attendance at a duly posted meeting. No motion or matter may be passed nor change implemented without a majority vote of the quorum in attendance at any duly posted meeting, except that any amendment to the Galveston County Plan must be approved by 2/3 or more of the Judges who are members of the Criminal Courts Board.

V.

INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES COORDINATOR

The Criminal Courts Board shall approve the selection and hiring of an Indigent Defense Services Coordinator. The Coordinator shall act under the immediate supervision of the Director of the Office of District Court Administration for Galveston County, or other position as designated by the Board.

The duties of the Coordinator shall include, but not be limited to:

1.       maintaining and updating the list of qualified attorneys;

2.       investigating and monitoring attorney qualifications; 

3.       managing Magistrate hearing procedures;

4.       ensuring that the Criminal Courts follow the Plan for appointing attorneys as set out herein;

5.       maintaining the rotation schedule of appointed attorneys;

6.       coordinating with the Office of Court Administration, or other office as designated by the Board;

7.       notifying the Local Administrative District Court Judge and Local Administrative County Court at Law Judge of any non­compliance with the policies and standards of the Task Force on Indigent Defense;

8.       assisting in the County Reporting Plan and the obtaining of Technical Report Grants from the State of Texas, and;

9.       processing complaints about court appointed attorneys; and,

10.   performing other duties designated by the Board.

VI.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF

APPOINTMENT BY BOARD

An attorney must submit a completed application to the Indigent Defense Services Coordinator to be considered for court appointments. Attorneys employed by the MMHPDO are qualified for misdemeanor appointments upon employment with the office.

 Application forms were mailed to all members of the Galveston County Bar Association prior to November 03, 2001. Notices were prominently posted outside all criminal courtrooms in the Galveston County Courthouse informing interested attorneys to pick up an application form from the Office of Justice Administration/Law Library.

Any attorney who, during a calendar year, desires to participate as an appointed attorney for indigent defendants may secure an application from the Office of District Court Administration and must complete and return the application to the Office of District Court Administration. The Indigent Defense Coordinator shall present the application to the Criminal Courts Board at their next scheduled meeting. If the application is approved by a majority vote of Judges in attendance at the meeting, the Coordinator shall add the attorney to the approved appointed list for the level of cases for which the Board has authorized.

 An attorney who is on the approved list for appointment of counsel for indigent defendants and believes is eligible to be appointed to higher grade offenses may submit an application to the Indigent Defense Coordinator seeking a re-evaluation of appointment. The Coordinator shall present the application to the Criminal Courts Board at their next scheduled meeting. If the application is approved by a majority vote of Judges in attendance at the meeting, the Coordinator shall add the attorney to the approved appointed list for the level of cases for which the Board has authorized.

Minimum Attorney Qualifications 08/16/2022

VII.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ATTORNEYS TO RECEIVE COURT APPOINTMENTS IN CRIMINAL CASES

1. Basic Requirements for All Attorneys:

 

1. Qualified member of State Bar of Texas;

 

2. A person of good moral character;

 

3. An Attorney must either have a residence in Galveston County or have an office in Galveston County;

 

4. An attorney must have a secretary, receptionist, local area code-answering service, or a local area code-regularly monitored answering machine;

 

5. An attorney must have a functioning fax machine and an e-mail address, both available 24 hours a day;

 

6. Complete a minimum often (10) hours of certified C.L.E. credits annually in criminal law;

 

7. Attorneys shall submit by October 15^th of each year a statement that describes the percentage of the attorney's practice time that was dedicated to work based on appointments accepted in Galveston County for adult criminal cases for the prior twelve (12) months that begins October l and ends on September 30. Attorneys shall submit the report through the online form to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. The Board may remove from the list of approved attorneys, without further notice, any attorney who fails to submit the form by October 15 of each year as required herein.

 

 

2. Rules on C.L.E. Requirements:

 

Self-study hours will be not be considered in determining the minimum ten (10) hour per year requirement. 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.

 

Continuing legal education activity completed during any reporting period in excess of the minimum ten (10) hour requirement for such period may be applied to the following period's requirement. The carryover provision applies to one year only.

 

Except those attorneys employed by the MMHPDO or Board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, attorneys shall certify completion of the required ten (10) hours to the Indigent Defense Coordinator on the date of original application and on or before the 1^st day of December thereafter by filing a sworn annual certification form with the Office of District Court Administration. {Form #GC-7}

 

3. Capital Murder Where Death Penalty is Sought by State:

 

Except in those cases where a legal conflict exists, the Court shall appoint the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases for all death­ eligible capital cases.

In cases where a legal conflict prohibits appointment to the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, the following qualifications shall apply:

1st CHAIR:

l.          On the approved list of attorneys qualified for capital murder appointment as maintained by the 11^th Administrative Judicial Region of the State of Texas.

2nd CHAIR:

1.         At least five (5) years of experience in criminal litigation and tried to verdict at least eight (8) felony cases before a jury for offenses punishable as 1st or 2nd degree felonies; or,

2.         On the approved list of attorneys qualified for capital murder appointment as 2nd Chair as maintained by the 11^th Administrative Judicial Region of the State of Texas.

 

D.        Capital Murder Where Death Penalty Is Not Sought by State of Texas:

l.          Board certified in criminal law; or,

2.         At least five (5) years' experience in criminal litigation and tried to verdict at least eight (8) felony cases, excluding State Jail felonies.

E.         First Degree Felonies:

1.         Board certified in criminal law, who are therefore qualified to handle all 1^st degree felonies and any lesser offenses for purposes of this plan; or,

2.         Have at least four years prior experience in criminal litigation, and;

3.         Tried to verdict at least five felony jury trials.

F.         Second Degree Felonies:

1.         Have at least three (3) years' experience in criminal litigation; and,

2.         Have prior experience in three or more felony jury trials as lead counsel.

 

G.        Third Degree Felonies and State Jail Felonies:

1.         Have at least one (1) year prior experience in criminal litigation, and;

2.         Have prior experience as lead counsel in at least three (3) criminal jury trials, excluding Class C misdemeanors.

H.        Misdemeanors - Individual Appointments:

1.         Meet basic requirements for all attorneys, or;

2.         Be an attorney with the MMHPDO representing indigent defendants with a serious mental illness and charged with a Class A or B misdemeanor(s); and;

3.         Be familiar with the docket call procedures for County Courts at Law 1, 2, and 3.

I.          Misdemeanors - Jail Docket Term Assignment:

1.         Meet basic requirements for all attorneys, and;

2.         Be familiar with the docket call procedures for County Courts at Law 1, 2 and 3, and;

3.         Have two (2) years' experience in criminal law.

J.          Appellate Appointments:

Capital Murder - Death Penalty

1.         On the approved list of attorneys qualified for capital murder appellate appointments as maintained by the 11^th Administrative Judicial Region of the State of Texas.

Capital Murder - No Death Penalty

1.         Board certified in criminal law, or;

2.         Have personally authored at least five (5) criminal appellate briefs.

First and Second Degree Felonies

1.         Have minimum three (3) years' experience in criminal litigation or criminal appellate practice and have authored at least two appellate briefs in criminal cases.

Third Degree Felonies, State Jail Felonies and Misdemeanors

1.         Have minimum two (2) years' experience in criminal litigation and have authored at least one brief filed in a criminal or juvenile case, or;

2.         Otherwise deemed qualified by a majority vote of Judges with criminal jurisdiction in attendance at Board meeting.

VIII.

GRADUATED LISTS

Attorneys who complete and submit an application for inclusion on the appointment list for representation of indigent defendants and who meet the basic requirements for attorneys shall be placed on a graduated list based on experience and qualifications as set out in Section VIII.

The Graduated List shall be as follows:

A.        Death Penalty Cases

Appointment to capital murder cases in which the District Attorney is seeking death penalty. 1st Chair and 2nd Chair appointments shall be made from the approved list maintained by the 11th Administrative Judicial Region of the State of Texas. The Judge appointing counsel to death penalty cases shall consider the appointed attorney's availability, experience and qualifications as set forth in Section VIII C.

B.         Capital List - Non Death Penalty Cases

There will be no list compiled for appointment to capital murder cases in which the District Attorney does not seek the death penalty. Attorneys assigned to non-death penalty cases shall be made on a case by case basis without regard to rotation among attorneys. The Judge appointing counsel to non-death penalty cases shall consider the appointed attorney’s availability, experience and qualifications as set forth in Section VIII C.

C.         First Degree Cases

Attorneys approved for appointment to first degree felony cases may represent defendants charged with first degree felonies, or any lesser offense, including writs, criminal contempt and motions involving DNA matters.

D.        Second Degree Cases

Attorneys approved for appointment to second degree felony cases may represent defendants charged with second degree felonies, or any lesser offense, including writs, criminal contempt and motions involving DNA matters.

E.         Third Degree Cases

Attorneys on the third degree list may represent defendants charged with third degree felonies, State Jail felonies, motions to revoke probation and motions to adjudicate guilt, and any County Court at Law criminal matters, including writs, criminal contempt and motions involving DNA matters.

F.         Misdemeanor Lists

1.         Attorneys on the misdemeanor lists may represent defendants charged with Class A or Class B misdemeanors in the County Courts at Law of Galveston County.

2.         Attorneys with the MMHPDO may represent indigent defendants charged with Class A or Class B misdemeanors where there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant has a mental illness or is a person with an intellectual disability diagnosed with a serious mental illness, pursuant to C.C.P Article 26.04(f).

G.        Appeals - Capital Murder - Death Penalty

The Board does not maintain a list for appointments to appeals of those cases in which the jury imposed a death penalty. Judges shall make attorney appointments to these appeals on a case by case basis and judges shall consider the appointed attorney's availability, experience and qualifications as set forth in Section VIII C.

H.        Appeals - Capital Murder - Non Death Penalty

Attorneys on this list may represent on appeal those defendants who are convicted of capital murder but the death penalty was not imposed. The Judge appointing counsel to these appeals shall consider the appointed attorney's availability, experience and qualifications as set forth in Section VIII C.

I.          Appeals - First and Second Degree Felonies

Attorneys on the first and second degree appellate appointment List may represent defendants on appeal convicted of a first degree felony, or any lesser offense, including writs and criminal contempt.

J.          Appeals - Third Degree Felonies, State Jail Felonies and Misdemeanors

Attorneys on the Third Degree Felonies, State Jail Felonies and Misdemeanors appellate appointment list may represent defendants convicted of third degree felonies, state jail felonies and any County Court at Law criminal matters, including writs and criminal contempt.

K.        Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel

Minimum Qualifications for the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel

The following standards apply to each attorney appointed to represent a defendant who has a serious mental illness (SMI) or an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), according to the CCP art. 16.22 report, and is accused of a felony criminal offense.

1.         An attorney must meet all the general qualifications.

2.         An attorney applying for the felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel must have served as a prosecutor in a county or district attorney’s office for at least four years or have practiced criminal defense law on a regular basis for a minimum of four (4) years or a combination of both totaling four (4) years.

3.         The evaluation of experience and competency is done when the applicant applies to be on the appointment list and on a periodic basis thereafter.   Factors to be considered are:

a)  Competence, diligence, and skill;

b) Years actively engaged in the practice of criminal law;

c)  Certification as a criminal law specialist;

d)  Attendance at advanced criminal law courses;

e) Number of defendants represented with SMI or IDD; and

f)  Any other special skills

4.         An attorney must have received Three (3) hours of CLE in mental health criminal issues or received three (3) hours of CLE in mental health criminal issues within Twelve (12) months of placement on the mental health attorney wheel.

5.         An attorney must be knowledgeable concerning criminal law related to defendants with mental health issues and the Texas Mental Health Code.          

 6.        An attorney applying for the felony mental health attorney wheel must meet requirements for placement on the first degree felony list.

7.         An attorney must meet other experience, training, and competency requirements as deemed appropriate by the District Court Judges that do not fall below the standards set forth in this Plan.

IX.

COMPILATION OF MASTER LIST WHICH INCLUDES GRADUATED LIST

Between the dates of December 3, 2001, and January 1, 2002, the Board, by majority vote, determined the placement of attorneys on the Master List, including the Graduated List.

In order for an attorney to be added to the Master List, a majority of the Board must agree that the attorney meets all criteria for placement on the appropriate level of the graduated list.

If one or more Judges abstain from a vote, the Board shall deem the attorney "approved" if a majority of the Judges who did not abstain approve the application.

Attorneys are required to notify the Indigent Defense Coordinator within ten (10) days of any material changes to the attorney's information and/or qualifications.

Any attorney seeking to move up to a different graduated classification shall be governed by the procedures set forth in Section VII.

X.

REMOVAL OF ATTORNEYS FROM THE MASTER LIST

Annual Review

The Criminal Courts Board will conduct an annual performance review of all attorneys on the Master List on or before March of each year. The performance review may include, but is not limited to: initial contact and communication with client; maintenance of communication tools (current fax, phone and mailing address); knowledge and application of the law; proper trial procedures; ability of the attorney to effectively represent the indigent defendant before a Judge or jury; appearance at court hearings, and claim vouchers presented for payment.

A majority of the judges who preside over cases at the level to which the attorney is assigned shall determine if the attorney will remain on the Master List at the same level or; remain on the Master List at a lower level, or; be removed from the Master List;

 

Grounds for Removal from the Master List

An attorney may be removed from the Master List or the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel and from any case to which the attorney has been appointed for any of the following reasons:

(1)        the attorney is convicted or receives deferred adjudication for any felony, including controlled substance offenses;

(2)        the attorney is convicted or receives deferred adjudication for any crime of moral turpitude;

(3)        the attorney is under indictment, information, criminal complaint or other formal charge for a felony or crime of moral turpitude;

(4)        the attorney intentionally misrepresents any information on an Application for Indigent Representation, on any Attorney Fee Voucher, or on any Annual Certification of Attorney;

(5)        the attorney fails to meet any of the general qualifications or specific qualifications for each list or wheel;

(6)        the attorney is sanctioned by the State Bar of Texas;

(7)        the attorney fails to file with the Annual Certification of Attorney;

(8)        the attorney fails to perform in a professional or ethical manner, including the submission of claims for legal services not performed by the attorney; or,

(9)        for good cause at the discretion of a majority vote of the Criminal Courts Board.

 

Complaints and Reinstatement

The Coordinator shall forward to the Board copies of any written charges, complaints or concerns, regarding an attorney on the Galveston Appointment list. Such written charges, complains, or concerns must be signed by the complaining person. The Board shall schedule a hearing to address the complaint. The Board shall conduct the hearing in executive session unless the attorney submits a written request for a public hearing.

The Coordinator shall notify the attorney, in writing, of the Board meeting and shall provide the attorney copies of the written and signed complaint. The attorney may respond to the complaint by providing a written, signed response to the Board, by appearing in person at the Board meeting to address the Board, or both.

After considering the complaint and the attorney's response, if any, the Board shall by a majority vote determine if the attorney will:

1.         remain on the Master List at the same level;

2.         remain on the Master List at a lower level;

3.         be suspended from the Master List for a time period determined by the Board;

4.         be removed from Master List; and/or

5.         be required to undertake other remedial measures, including but not limited to, additional legal training.

If the Board removes an attorney from the Master List, or reduces the level of cases the attorney may represent on the Master List, the attorney may, after the expiration of 180 days of the Board's decision, apply for reinstatement to the Master List or apply to increase the level of cases.

 Prompt Appointment of Counsel 10/18/2021

XI.

PROCEDURE FOR ATTORNEY ASSIGNMENT

A.        In Custody

Galveston County Jail - If a defendant is in jail on criminal charges pending in Galveston County, the Judge of the District Court or County Court at Law shall appoint an attorney; or, if applicable, the Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender’s Office; not later than the end of the first working day after the Court receives the request for appointed counsel.

Law Judge will appoint legal counsel for the defendant if, on the 11th day after the arrest, the defendant is still in the custody of Galveston County. The Indigent Defense Coordinator shall deliver a completed pauper's oath and request for counsel to the jail docket duty Judge with jail docket duty or to the appropriate local administrative judge. Only a District Court Judge or County Court at Law Judge shall appoint counsel.

Out-of-County Jail - If an indigent defendant is arrested in another county based on a Galveston County warrant, a Galveston District Court Judge or County Court at Law Judge shall, upon receipt of the request for counsel, make a determination of indigency and, if the defendant is found to be indigent, appoint counsel within one working day after the request is received.

B.        Released on Bond

If a defendant is not in custody, a District Court Judge or County Court at Law Judge must appoint counsel or, if applicable, the Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender’s Office at the eligible defendant's first court appearance or when adversarial judicial proceedings are initiated, whichever comes first. 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://tide.tamu,edu/public.net, the County of Galveston website: at https://www.galvestoncountytx.gov/our-county/district-court-administration-office/indigent-defense {Form GC-15} or from the District or County Clerks of Galveston County. The defendant may submit these forms to the Office of District Court Administration at 600 - 59th Street, Galveston, Texas 77551.

C.        Out-of-County Warrants

If an indigent defendant is arrested on a warrant issued in a county other than the county in which the arrest was made and the defendant has not been transferred or released into the custody of the county issuing the warrant before the 11th day after the date of the arrest and if counsel has not otherwise been appointed by the arresting county under Article 1.051(c-1), C.C.P, the District Court Judge or County Court at Law Judge with jail docket duty shall immediately appoint a qualified attorney to represent the defendant in any matter under Chapter 11 or 17, regardless of whether adversarial judicial proceedings have been initiated against the defendant in the arresting county.

The court may not direct or encourage the defendant to communicate with the attorneys 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.

 

1. Case Appointments

1.         District Courts

a.         Individual Case Appointment

When an indigent defendant appears before a District Judge and requests appointment of an attorney, or when the District Judge receives a request for appointment of an attorney from a defendant who has been determined by the Judge or a Magistrate to be indigent, the Judge shall immediately appoint an attorney from the Master List whose placement on the Graduated List qualifies that attorney to represent the defendant for which the defendant is currently charged or from the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel if applicable.

If not appointing an attorney from the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel, the District Judge shall appoint an attorney from the first five names on the Master List of those qualified to represent defendants at the level of offense involved. An attorney may not be bypassed for appointment more than two times on the Master List unless the District Judge finds, in writing, that a conflict of interest exists or that good cause exists for bypassing the attorney.

b.         Limited Term Assignment

A District Court Judge who has been assigned bail review duty for consecutive two (2) or three (3) week periods shall appoint one attorney from the Master List for a period not to exceed one week. The appointed attorney shall appear daily during the regularly scheduled jail review to provide representation for indigent defendants who request appointment of counsel.

The attorney appointed for the one (1) week term shall be qualified and approved to the 3rd Degree (and greater) Felonies List. The appointing Judge shall appoint the attorneys for the week from within the first five (5) names on the Master List and Graduated List with the understanding that the attorney appointed for the week must come from within the first five (5) names up on the 3rd Degree (and greater) Felonies List. The same attorney may not participate as a jail docket attorney for felony cases more than once during a three (3) month period in any District Court of Galveston County.

Attorneys scheduled for bail review provide representation for indigent defendants during the limited term assignment and are listed as the attorney of record if the case is resolved during the limited term assignment. If the case is not resolved during the limited term assignment, the clerk shall notify the court in which the case is filed and the presiding judge shall make the appointment of counsel.

c.         Mental Health Cases

Priority appointment will be given to the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel in all felony cases where there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant has a mental illness or is a person with an intellectual disability, pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04(f). When a defendant with a serious mental illness is determined to be indigent and requests appointment of an attorney, the appointing Judge or designee shall immediately appoint an attorney from the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel. The appointing judge may also appoint an attorney from the Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel in the interest of justice if the defendant with serious mental illness or an intellectual disability does not request counsel or if the defendant may be incompetent.

1. County Courts at Law

a.         Individual Case Appointment

When a defendant determined to be indigent comes before the County Court at Law Judge and requests appointment of an attorney, the Judge shall immediately appoint an attorney from the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List that qualifies to represent the defendant for the offense which the defendant is currently charged or the Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender’s Office.

If not appointing the Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender’s Office, the County Court at Law Judge shall appoint an attorney from the first five (5) names on the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List of those qualified to represent defendants at the level of offense involved. An attorney may not be bypassed for appointment more than two (2) times unless the County Court at Law Judge finds, in writing, that a conflict of interest exists or that other good cause exists for bypassing the attorney.

b.         Limited Term Assignment

A County Court at Law Judge who has been assigned jail docket duty for a one (1) week period shall appoint two (2) attorneys from the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List for period not to exceed one week. The appointed attorney shall appear daily during the regularly scheduled jail docket to provide representation for indigent defendants who request appointment of counsel.

The County Court at Law Judge shall assign jail docket on to attorneys qualified appoint attorneys qualified and approved on the Court Appointed Attorney List approved by the Judges.

The same attorney may not participate as a jail docket attorney for misdemeanor cases more than once during a three (3) month period. Except where otherwise provided for in Section XI (C) of this Plan (as revised), the attorney representing the defendant at jail docket is appointed to represent the defendant in the pending criminal matter until final disposition of the case unless such attorney should be removed for good cause by the court.

If the court is to remove an attorney for good cause then the attorney shall be given written notice of such removal and the grounds for such removal shall be stated in such notice.

c.         Mental Health Cases

Priority appointment will be given to the Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender’s Office in class A & B misdemeanor cases where there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant has a mental illness or is a person with an intellectual disability, pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04(f). When a defendant with a serious mental illness is determined to be indigent and requests appointment of an attorney, the appointing Judge or designee shall immediately appoint the Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender Office (MMHPDO) to represent the defendant for the offense which the defendant is currently charged, according to the MMHPDO’s representation capacity. The MMHPDO shall assign an attorney to represent the defendant. If the MMHPDO determines that a legal representation conflict exists, the MMHPDO’s representation capacity has been reached, or representation is contrary to the office’s written plan, it shall notify the appointing judge that the MMHPDO cannot represent the defendant and the appointing judge or designee shall appoint another attorney qualified to represent defendants with mental illness. The appointing judge may also appoint the MMHPDO in the interest of justice if the defendant with serious mental illness does not request counsel or if the defendant may be incompetent, subject to the MMHPDO’s representation capacity, conflicts policy, and written plan. 

E.        Judicial Economy

If an attorney is previously appointed to represent an indigent defendant on a pending, unresolved case and the indigent defendant is subsequently charged with any new offense or offenses, the appointing District Judge or County Court at Law Judge may appoint the same attorney previously appointed to represent that indigent defendant instead of appointing an attorney from the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List. However, if the new charge or charges against the indigent defendant are of a higher grade or level and the previously appointed attorney is not qualified to handle the higher level of offense charged, then new qualified counsel shall be appointed from the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List to represent the indigent defendant on all charges pending against the defendant.

 

If the MMHPDO has previously been appointed to represent an indigent defendant on a pending, unresolved case or cases and the indigent defendant is subsequently charged with a new misdemeanor offense or offenses, the appointing County Court at Law Judge shall appoint the MMHPDO to represent that indigent defendant instead of appointing an attorney from the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List. However, if the new charge or charges against the indigent defendant is a felony, then new qualified counsel shall be appointed from the Approved Court Appointed Attorney List to represent the indigent defendant on all charges pending against the defendant unless the Judge determines it is in the best interest of the client for the MMHPDO to continue representing the indigent defendant in the misdemeanor case.

 

F.         Replacement of Appointed Counsel

1.         Attorney Request

A lawyer may be relieved from an appointment upon satisfying the judge that the lawyer has good cause for being relieved and that the client will not be prejudiced. 

2.         Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defender’s Office Request

The MMHPDO shall be relieved from an appointment upon a showing of adequate good cause pursuant to Article 26.044(j) - (j-1).

3.         Judicial Determination

The judge presiding over a criminal case may replace appointed counsel after entering written findings in the record showing good cause for the replacement and no prejudice to the defendant, including, without limitation:

(a)        Current information about the defendant and charges indicates that counsel of different qualifications is appropriate for the defendant under these rules; or

(b)        Replacement of appointed counsel in a death penalty case is required under Article 26.052(e) of the C.C.P.

4.         Defendant Request

The judge presiding over the trial court proceedings in a criminal case may replace appointed counsel at the defendant's request if:

The defendant requests an attorney other than trial defense counsel for appeal or post- conviction habeas corpus proceedings; or

The defendant shows good cause for replacing appointed counsel, including counsel's persistent or prolonged failure to communicate with the defendant. 

5.         Appointing Replacement Counsel

Whenever appointed counsel is replaced under this Rule, replacement counsel immediately shall be selected and appointed in accordance with the procedures described in accordance with Section XI, "Procedure for Attorney Assignment."

XII.

LIST UPDATE

Each year, the Criminal Courts Board shall update and modify the list of eligible court appointed attorneys consistent with the provisions of this Plan, and shall post the updated list outside the Galveston County District Clerk's Office and outside the Galveston County Clerk's Office no later than December 31st of each year.

XIII.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS

Court appointed attorneys shall make every reasonable effort to contact the indigent defendant not later than the end of the first working day after notification of appointment is received and to interview the defendant as soon as practicable. Except for good cause shown to the Judge presiding over the case, the interview must be within fifteen (15) days of the date of the appointment. The failure of an attorney to comply with this requirement shall be grounds for the judge to deny, or significantly reduce, any compensation claimed by the attorney for services rendered.

Except when appointed on an out-of-county warrant, a court appointed attorney shall represent a defendant until the case is resolved, including all appeals; or, until the Court, after entering written finding of good cause, relieves the attorney.

Attorneys appointed by a Galveston County District Judge or Galveston County Court at Law Judge to represent an indigent defendant on an out-of-county warrant shall represent the defendant in the pending criminal matter until the charging county appoints counsel, or the defendant is released or transferred from the Galveston County Jail.

Attorneys shall promptly notify the Office of District Court Administration in writing of any matter that may disqualify the attorney by law, regulation, rule, or under this Plan from receiving appointments to represent indigent defendants.

Attorneys shall timely appear and represent each appointed client at each and every court date scheduled by the court. The only exceptions for a designated substitute attorney to appear for the appointed attorney will be if the court and defendant has previously approved a substitute attorney appearing for a docket call or the entry of a plea agreement.

 

XIV.

FEE SCHEDULE

The Court shall pay the appointed attorney a reasonable fee in accordance with a uniform schedule of fees as adopted by the majority of Judges and attached hereto as Exhibit #1.

The uniform schedule of fees shall take into consideration reasonable and necessary overhead costs, the availability of qualified attorneys, time and labor expenses, complexity of the case, and the experience and ability of counsel.

An attorney working under a limited term assignment shall only be paid for work actually performed and according to a uniform schedule of payment for limited term appointments as adopted by a majority of Judges and attached hereto as Exhibit #1.

 

XV.

APPOINTMENT OF INVESTIGATORS AND EXPERTS FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE

Appointment and reimbursement for reasonable and necessary investigation, mental health and other experts shall be as provided by law. The court would encourage "when possible" to have the attorney representing the defendant to bring forward their need for assistance on issues regarding investigators, mental health, and other experts on a case before incurring expenses.

 

1.         Article 26.05 (d) A counsel in a noncapital case, other than an attorney with a public defender's office, appointed to represent a defendant under this code shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses, including 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 capital cases by Articles 26.052(f) and (g), and expenses incurred without prior court approval shall be reimbursed in the manner provided for capital cases by Article 26.052(h).

2.         Counsel may incur 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.

(See XVI - REQUEST FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND EXPENSES)

XVI.

REQUEST FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND EXPENSES

Each attorney shall present a signed voucher or claim for attorney fees and expenses using the approved GALVESTON COUNTY ATTORNEY FEE VOUCHER form.

The claim form shall specify and/or itemize the time spent on the representation with a detailed description of each item performed in representation of the indigent defendant. Time shall be detailed in increments of tenths (six-minute increments) for any entry that is less than one (1) hour and for any entry that does not equal exactly one (1) hour. The claim shall include the services performed, the dates of such performance, the actual time spent on each date and the amount requested for payment of attorney’s fees and expenses.

The signed claim form for attorney fees shall be submitted to the trial Judge as follows:

A.        Not later than ten (10) days after disposition of a case by modification of probation, or dismissal;

B.         Not later than ten (10) days after disposition of a case by plea, except in those cases where a plea is set on the docket with advance notice. In cases where a plea has been set on the docket in advance of the plea, the claim form for attorney fees is due at the time of plea;

C.         Not later than ten (10) days after disposition of a case by bench trial, including motions to revoke probation, except if a motion for new trial or rehearing is timely filed, then no later than the next working day after the motion for new trial or rehearing is ruled upon, if denied or overruled;

D.        Not later than ten (10) days of the date a verdict in a jury trial is received and accepted by the Court, or; if a motion for new trial is timely filed, no later than the next working day after the motion for new trial is ruled upon, if denied or overruled.

E.         Appeals - Attorneys may submit a claim form after the appeal brief has been filed by the court of appeals, but, shall in no event submit a claim form later than ten (10) days after the appellate court issues the mandate.

 

Vouchers for indigent attorney fees not timely submitted will be considered waived, the services performed Pro Bono, and the request for attorney's fees denied.

If the trial Judge disapproves the requested amount of payment, the Judge shall make written findings stating the amount of payment approved and the reasons for approving an amount different from the requested amount. The attorney whose request for payment has been disapproved or reduced may, by written motion, file an appeal with the Presiding Judge of the 11^th Administrative Region.

The signed claim form for Investigator and Experts shall be submitted by the Provider on the form titled CLAIM FOR INVESTIGATION OR EXPERT WITNESS FEES provided by the County. Investigators/Experts should submit a claim directly to the Indigent Defense Coordinator. Judges shall not approve and the County shall not reimburse such expenses to the attorney or other third party. The County shall make all payments only to the Provider of the services.

An inexperienced attorney who desires to gain experience in criminal matters in order to be placed on the appointment list or to advance on the Graduated List may petition the District Court Judge or County Court at Law Judge to allow the attorney to sit as second chair on a felony or misdemeanor trial. Upon approval of by the District Court Judge or County Court at Law Judge, the attorney may participate in the trial as a second chair attorney; however, the attorney will not be compensated by the Court and will perform any legal services as second chair on a Pro Bono basis.

 

 

  

 

Galveston District and County Court Addendum (Felony Mental Health Attorney Wheel Fees).pdf (10/28/2022 1:14:56 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Addendum 1 - Appeal of Trial Court's Disapproval of Requested Court Appointed Attorney's Fee.pdf (11/30/2009 12:11:23 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Affidavit of Indigence.pdf (10/17/2023 2:37:10 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Attorney Application for Appointment.pdf (2/7/2022 1:03:02 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Attorney Fee Schedule.pdf (10/15/2024 10:24:53 AM) view
Galveston District and County Court Attorney Fee Voucher.pdf (10/15/2024 10:16:00 AM) view
Galveston District and County Court Contracts for Indigent Defense Services.pdf (10/24/2013 1:34:46 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Galveston District and County Court Instructions for Obtaining Counsel Prior to 1st Setting.docx (10/15/2024 10:19:36 AM) view
Galveston District and County Court Indigent Defense Plan for Galveston County District and County Courts.pdf (10/3/2018 1:07:26 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Instructions for Obtaining Counsel Prior to 1st Court Setting.pdf (11/2/2015 2:18:49 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Instructions for obtaining counsel.pdf (10/3/2018 1:27:41 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Magistrates Warning Form.doc (11/30/2009 12:01:45 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Magistrate’s Warning Form.doc (10/24/2013 1:32:45 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Pauper's Oath Application.pdf (10/28/2022 1:13:29 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Public Defender Plan or Proposal.pdf (3/17/2022 11:21:05 AM) view
Galveston District and County Court Request for Magistrate's Probable Cause Finding.pdf (11/30/2009 12:08:17 PM) view
Galveston District and County Court Waiver of Counsel.pdf (11/30/2009 12:06:50 PM) view