Wichita District Court and County Court Plan

10/30/2023

I. Prompt Magistration

Arresting Officer Responsibility

The arresting officer, or the person having custody of the arrestee, shall ensure that every arrestee shall be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested.  “Magistrates” shall be the Justices of the Peace for Wichita County, the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court of Wichita Falls, Texas, and the Contract Weekend Magistrates in Wichita County, together with any other persons approved by the County, County Court at Law and District Judges for Wichita County.

 

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

 

Magistrate Duties

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

 

After making such determination, the magistrate shall, in an appropriate manner consistent with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 38.30 and 38.31, do the following:

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

2. Admonish the accused of

1. The right to retain counsel;

2. The right to remain silent;

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

4. The right to terminate an interview at anytime;

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

6. The right to an examining trial

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

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

3. Provide accused persons requesting appointed counsel with necessary forms for requesting appointment of counsel and ensure that reasonable assistance in completing required forms is provided to the accused at the time of the magistrate’s hearing. Members of the jail staff will assist the Magistrate if requested to do so. The Declaration of Inability to Hire Counsel and Request for Court Appointed Counsel are attached hereto as “Exhibit A” and Exhibit A-1” (by inmates only)

4. If the magistrate has reason to believe the accused is not mentally competent, the magistrate shall enter a request for counsel on behalf of the accused. Such a request will alert the appointing authority that counsel competent to represent mentally ill persons should be appointed. The Certification of Magistrate’s Warning, Probable Cause Determination, and Order Setting Bond is attached hereto as “Exhibit B”.

 

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

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

1. A person arrested for misdemeanor must be released on bond, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, not later than 24 hours after the person’s arrest.

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

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

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

 

The magistrate shall make a record of the following:

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

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

3. Whether the accused requested appointment of counsel.

If the magistrate is not authorized to appoint counsel and if the accused requests appointment of counsel, the magistrate shall transmit or cause to be transmitted the magistrate form (“Exhibit B”) and any other forms requesting appointment of counsel (“Exhibit A or A-1”) to the Appointing Authority to wit: The Court Administrator of Wichita County. The forms requesting appointment of counsel shall be transmitted without unnecessary delay, but not later than 24 hours after the person arrested requests appointment of counsel along with a list of defendants that requested for court appointed counsel at the time of magistration. Delivery shall be accomplished as follows: The Bond Management Office is to obtain the forms (“Exhibit A or A-1”) immediately after magistration and submit the forms through the Court Administrator Queue in the Odyssey System. The Court Administrator will then process the forms accordingly.

The Court Administrator as the appointing authority shall make an initial determination of indigence and recommend the appointment of counsel within three working days, if the defendant is indigent. After the determination has been made, the Court administrator shall provide the completed forms and the initial determination to the judge making court appointments for the decision of appointment of counsel. The Order Appointing Attorney is attached hereto as “Exhibit C”.

If a request for counsel was made at magistration, the Court Administrator shall forward the magistrate form and any other forms requesting appointment of counsel to the appropriate clerk to be filed in the case file.

 

If request for counsel was not made at magistration  but the defendant requests court appointed counsel at the subsequent time, such request shall be made either to a member of the jail staff, if the defendant is incarcerated, or to the Court Administrator’s Office, if the defendant has been released on bail. In either event, the defendant’s application shall be completed in its entirety and signed under oath by the defendant. The jail staff and the Court Administrator’s Office, as applicable, shall ensure that reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms for requesting appointment of counsel is provided. An application for court appointed counsel is subject to denial unless all questions are answered by the defendant. The trial courts of Wichita County, Texas, reserve the right to require the defendant’s to appear in open court for the purpose of inquiring into the defendant’s indigence or for the purpose of completing the required application.

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

 

II. Indigence Determination Standards

10/30/2023

1. Definitions, as used in the rule:

    

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

2. “Net household income” means all income of the accused and spousal income actually available to the accused. Such income shall include: take-home wages and salary(gross income earned minus those deductions required by law or as a condition of employment);

   net self-employment income(gross income minus business expenses, and those deductions required by law or as a condition of operating the business); regular payments from a governmental income maintenance program, alimony, child support, public or private pensions, or annuities; and income from dividends, interest, rents, royalties, or periodic receipts from estates or trusts, seasonal or temporary income shall be considered on an annualized basis, averaged together with periods in which the accused has no income or lesser income.

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

4. “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.

    

Eligibility for Appointment

 

1. An accused is presumed indigent if any of the following conditions or factors are present:

    

1. At the time of requesting appointed counsel, the accused or accused’s dependents are eligible to receive food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, or public housing;

2. The accused's net household income does not exceed 100% of the Poverty Guidelines as revised annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and published in the Federal Registor; or

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

    

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

    

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

2. anticipated complexity of the defense,

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

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

5. accused’s income,

6. source of income,

7. assets and property owned,

8. outstanding obligations,

9. necessary expenses,

10. the number and ages of dependents, and spousal income that is available to the accused.

11. spousal income that is available to the accused.

     

1. Factors NOT to be considered in determining indigence:

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

2. The resources available to friends or relatives of the accused may not be considered in determining whether the accused is indigent,

1. Only the accused’s financial circumstances as measured by the financial standards stated in this rule shall be used as the basis for determining indigence.

    

1. Indigence Proceedings:

    

1. The Court Administrator can require the accused to respond to questions about the accused’s financial status, produce documentation supporting financial information provided, and/or order a court official to verify financial information provided.

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

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

2. impeaching direct testimony of accused regarding the accused’s indigence.

1. Request by the Court Administrator for additional information, documentation, and/or verification cannot delay appointment of counsel beyond the timelines specified in Parts I and IV of these rules and contained in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 1.051.

2. An accused determined to be indigent is presumed to remain indigent for the remainder of the case unless a material change in the accused’s financial circumstance occurs.

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

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

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

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

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

III. Minimum Attorney Qualifications

10/30/2023 

The judges hearing criminal cases shall establish attorney appointment lists for the following categories of offenses. Attorney’s may apply for and be placed on multiple lists. The Application for Attorney Appointment List-Wichita County is attached hereto as “Exhibit D.” to be eligible for an appointment list, an attorney must meet the following minimum requirements:

 

Misdemeanor Qualification Requirements:

 

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

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

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

4. An attorney must have experience (either as a prosecutor or defense counsel) in criminal law;

5. An attorney may not have been found to be ineffective counsel by an appellate court;

6. An attorney must not have been determined, by formal proceedings or otherwise, to provide ineffective criminal representation by any trial court;

7. An attorney must maintain a permanent address other than a post office box and an office capable of receiving email, fax, telephone calls, and telephone messages.

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

9. An attorney shall notify the Court Administrator’s office promptly, in writing, of any matter that would disqualify the attorney by law, regulation and rule or under these guidelines from receiving appointments to represent indigent defendants.

    

State Jail and Third Degree Felony Case Qualification Requirements

1. An attorney must meet general requirements for misdemeanor appointments;

2. An attorney must have at least one year’s experience (either in prosecution or defense) in criminal misdemeanor or felony representation;

3. An attorney must have exhibited proficiency in providing quality representation in criminal cases;

First and Second Degree Felony Case Qualification Requirements

1. An attorney must meet the general requirements for  State Jail and Third Degree Felony appointments

2. An attorney must have tried to verdict 2 or more criminal trials

3. Have demonstrated superior quality representation to defendants in criminal cases to such an extent that the court feel the attorney can provide representation equal to or greater than the attorneys currently on the First and Second Degree Felony list.

    

Capital Case Qualification Requirements

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

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

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

Appeal Qualification Requirements

An attorney must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Be currently board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; or

2. Have personally authored and filed at least three criminal appellate briefs or post-conviction writs of habeas corpus; or

3. Have worked as a briefing clerk of an appellate court for a period of at least one year; or

4. Have demonstrated superior quality appellate representation to defendants in criminal cases to such extent that the Courts feel the attorney can provide representation equal to or greater than the attorneys on the appellate list.

Approval for Appointment Lists

Felony, Misdemeanor and Appellate Lists-An attorney must be approved by a majority of the County and District Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

The attorneys assigned by the Public Defender’s Office to handle the specific cases, shall be required to meet the same standards for appointment.

 Removal from appointment List

The judges will monitor attorney performance on a continuing basis to assure the competency of attorneys on the list. An attorney may be removed or suspended, as appropriate, from one or more appointment lists by a majority vote of the judges. A majority of the judges trying criminal cases in the county may remove an attorney from consideration for appointments, if the attorney intentionally or repeatedly does not fulfill the duties required by law rules, local rules, or provisions for providing effective assistance of counsel or fails to comply with the requirements for inclusion on the approved list for counsel for indigent accused persons, the judges shall provide the attorney with reasonable notice of their intention to consider sanctions or removal from the list of approved attorneys.

An attorney requesting to be removed from the list of eligible court appointed attorneys shall make such request in writing and deliver it to the Court Administrator. Upon receipt of the request, the Court Administrator shall immediately remove the attorney’s name from the list and notify the judges that the name has been removed. Once the attorney’s name has been removed from the list of eligible court appointed counsel, the attorney shall not be appointed as counsel until and unless the attorney successfully reapplies for inclusion on list.

The attorney shall not be permitted to withdraw as attorney of record in any pending case except upon written motion and leave of court in such case.

Reinstatement to Appointment Lists

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

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

 Duties of Appointed Counsel

Appointed counsel shall;

1. Make every reasonable effort to:

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

2. Interview the defendant as soon as practicable after the attorney is appointed.

1. Represent the defendant until:

1. Charges are dismissed;

2. The defendant is acquitted;

3. Direct appeals are exhausted; or

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Not later than October 15 of each year, and on a form prescribed by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, each attorney accepting appointments shall submit to each appointing county information, for the preceding fiscal year, that describes the percentage of the attorneys’ practice time that was dedicated to work based on the appointments accepted in each county under C.C. P., Art. 26.04(j) and Title 3, Family Code. A submission shall be delivered to each county in which an attorney accepts appointments.

   

Prompt Appointment of Counsel

10/30/2023

IV. Appointment of Counsel 

1. Prompt Appointment of Counsel

   
   

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

2. If the defendant is released from custody prior to the appointment of counsel, appointment of counsel is not required until the defendant’s first court appearance or when adversarial judicial proceedings are initiated, whichever comes first.

For persons arrested in other counties on Wichita County warrants, Wichita County must appoint counsel for those determined to be indigent within:

1 working day (counties with a census population of 250,000 or more)

3 working days (counties with a census population under 250,000)

For persons arrested in Wichita County on other county warrants, counsel must be appointed 11 days after the arrest date for matters under Chapter 11 (Habeas Corpus) or 17 (Bail), Code of Criminal Procedure, if a defendant is still in the local jail and the defendant has no counsel in the arresting county. The arresting county may seek reimbursement from the warrant issuing county for the actual costs paid to appointed counsel.

1. Appointment Authority

   
   

The appointing authority for all cases is the County and District Judges, assisted by the Court Administrator.

 

1. Defendants Appearing Without Counsel

   
   

If a defendant appears without counsel in any adversary judicial proceeding that may result in punishment by confinement

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

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

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

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

1. The attorney representing the state may not:

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

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

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

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

    

1. Waiver of the Right to Counsel

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

    

Attorney Selection Process

 10/30/23

                                                                                                        V. Attorney Selection Process

 

Appointment of Counsel

 

The appropriate judge making an appointment shall make the appointment using a system of rotation from among the first five names on the appointment list of the attorneys qualified to handle that type of case, unless the court makes a finding of good cause on the record for appointing an attorney out of order. Good cause may include:

 

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

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

   Other good cause exists for varying from the list.

 

Once appointed, with the exception of the County Public Defender’s Office, an attorney’s name will be moved to the bottom of the appointment list. An attorney who is not appointed in the order in which the attorney’s name appears on the list shall remain next in order on the list.

 

 

 

Public Defenders Office

The District and County Judges may, from time to time, adjust the percentage of cases received by the County Public Defender’s Office. The County Public Defender’s Office may be removed from a specific list by the judges, if it is determined that the office will no longer handle that category of cases. In such cases, the public defender’s appointment rates will be increased for the other categories of offenses to maintain an adequate workload. The appointing authority shall give priority to appointing available public defenders office to represent indigent defendants pursuant to SB 583. SB 583 does three main things:

 

1.     Clarifies that the priority appointment statute applies in capital case appointments

2.     Requires good cause not to appoint a public defender office; and

3.     Requires local indigent defense plan to include priority appointment for any public defender’s office in the county

 

The Public Defender’s office may refuse to accept appointment to a case, if:

a.      A conflict of interest exists;

b.     The office has insufficient resources to provide adequate representation;

c.      The office is incapable of providing representation in accordance with the rules of professional conduct; or

d.     The office shows other good cause for refusing appointment.

 

Judicial Removal from Case

The judge presiding over a criminal case may remove appointed counsel upon entering a written order showing good cause for such removal, including without limitation, the following

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     8.     Counsel's failure to comply with an order of the Court.

 

Appointment of Replacement Counsel

 

Whenever appointed counsel is removed under this section, replacement counsel shall immediately be selected and appointed in accordance with the procedures described in this plan

 

   

Fee and Expense Payment Process

 

10/30/23

VI.  Fee and Expense Payment Process

Compensation

Court appointed counsel shall be compensated for all reasonable and appropriate services rendered in representing the accused. Compensation shall be reasonable for time and effort expended and will be in accordance with a fee schedule adopted and approved by a majority of the judges hearing criminal cases in the county. The Schedule of Fees for Compensation of Appointed Counsel for Indigent Defendants is attached hereto as “Exhibit E”.

Payment Process

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

 

1.     An appointed attorney complete out and submit a fee voucher to the court for services rendered. The Applications for Compensation of Court-Appointed Counsel are attached hereto as “Exhibit F” (Fixed rate) and “Exhibit G” (Hourly Rate).

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

3.     All Applications for compensation must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the final disposition dae, excepte for cases concluded in December, in which case the application must be submitted no later than the last business day of January of each year.

4.     All Applications for compensation for pending cases that will not be concluded by December 31st, must be submitted as an itemized hourly fee application no later than the last business day of January of each year for work performed through December 31st.

5.     "Flat fee" applications are not to be submitted unless the case is concluded. If a prior application for compensation was submitted, and paid, in accordance with paragraph 4 hereinabove, an appointed attorney must submit either; 1) an itemized hourly fee application for work completed after December 31st; or 2)an invoice for the difference between the hourly fee application order to paid pursuant to paragrah 4 herein above and the approved fixed rate;

6.     Applications for compensation submitted after the deadlines set out above will not be approved; and

7.     All application other than "flat fee" applications shall be accompanied by an itemization of the work performed and the expenses incurred.

 

If a judge approves an amount outside the schedule of fees attached hereto as "Exhibit E", 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 fees set forth in Exhibit E.

 

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

 

The Order for Compensation of Court-Appointed Counsel is attached hereto as “Exhibit H”.

Payment of Expenses

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. Prior court approval should be obtained when possible before expenses are incurred.

 

Procedure with Prior Court Approval

 

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:

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

2. 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

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

    

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:

 

1. State the reasons for the denial in writing;

2. Attach the denial to the confidential request; and

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

 

 

Procedure without Prior Court Approval

 

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

 

 

Appointment of Counsel on Out of County Warrant

 

SB 1517 Implementation

 

At the Article 15.17 hearing(“magistration”), the magistrate must inform a person arrested on an out-of-county warrant of the procedures for requesting counsel and must ensure reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms, If possible, the magistrate should provide the arrestee with the financial form from the county where the warrant originates. Financial forms of individual counties may be obtained from the TIDC website as a form at the end of the respective jurisdiction indigent defense plan: http://tidc.tamu.edu/public.net/Reports/IDPlanNarrative.aspx?cid=255

 

A magistrate must transmit requests for counsel to the person authorized to appoint counsel in the warrant issuing county. TIDC maintains a list of these contacts as submitted by each county at:

http://tidc.tamu.edu/public.net/Reports/OutofCountyArrestContacts.aspx

 

The warrant issuing county must appoint counsel for those determined to be indigent within:

1 working day (counties with a census population of 250,000 or more)

3 working days (counties with a census population under 250,000)

 

For the arresting county, counsel must be appointed 11 days after the arrest date for matters under Chapter 11 (Habeas Corpus) or 17 (Bail), Code of Criminal Procedure, if a defendant is still in the local jail and the defendant has no counsel in the arresting county.

 

The arresting county may seek reimbursement from the warrant issuing county for the actual costs paid to appointed counsel.

 

Text of SB1517 may be found at:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/SB01517F.htm

 

 

Wichita District and County Court Affidavit of Indigence UNSWORN.doc (6/27/2017 11:14:05 AM) view
Wichita District and County Court Affidavit of Indigence.doc (2/2/2023 4:09:01 PM) view
Wichita District and County Court Attorney Application for Appointment.docx (10/30/2015 1:35:19 PM) view
Wichita District and County Court Attorney Fee Schedule.docx (6/26/2017 3:26:55 PM) view
Wichita District and County Court Attorney Fee Voucher.docx (9/28/2011 10:34:28 AM) view
Wichita District and County Court Magistrates Warning Form.docx (12/3/2009 4:08:32 PM) view
Wichita District and County Court Order Appointing or denying Counsel.docx (6/26/2017 3:25:36 PM) view
Wichita District and County Court Order for Compensation of Court-Appointed Counsel.docx (12/3/2009 4:23:45 PM) view
Wichita District and County Court Wichita District and County Courts Application for Compensation(HOURLY RATE).docx (12/3/2009 4:21:51 PM) view