FANNIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT PLAN

INDIGENT DEFENSE

 

Prompt Magistration

 

DUTIES OF ARRESTING OFFICER AND MAGISTRATE

 

1. The arresting officer and magistrate shall perform the duties set forth at Art. 15.17, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, together with any other duties required by state or federal law.

 

2. The arresting officer, or the person having custody of the arrestee, shall ensure that every arrestee shall be taken before a magistrate of this county without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested.

 

3. The Justices of the Peace of Fannin County shall establish a plan to coordinate daily availability of a Justice of the Peace, or other magistrate authorized by law to provide magistrate warnings to arrested persons.

 

4. The magistrate shall provide the warnings required by law, either in person or by closed circuit television or in any other manner authorized by law, and may use the Adult Magistrate Warning form attached as Appendix 1 to document said warnings.

 

5. The magistrate shall inform the arrested person of the right to request appointment of counsel and of the procedures for requesting appointment of counsel.  The magistrate shall make available to the arrested person the forms necessary for the appointment of counsel as set forth in this plan, and shall ensure that the arrested person is provided reasonable assistance in completing said forms. 

 

6. If the arrested person requests the appointment of counsel, the arrestee is required to complete under oath a questionnaire concerning his financial resources.  (See Appendix 2) The magistrate shall, without unnecessary delay, but not later than 24 hours after the person arrested requests appointment of counsel, transmit or cause to be transmitted to the Clerk of the Court of Fannin County, either County or District depending on the level of offense charged, any original forms and other information provided by the arrested person as may be necessary for appointment of counsel as set forth in this plan, including but not limited to, the Adult Magistrate’s Warning form, Affidavit of Indigency, and Request for Court Appointed Counsel.  The Sheriff’s Office shall maintain a copy of said documents.  The District and County Clerks shall maintain all original documents in a manner rendering the data accessible for audit ensuring compliance with this plan.

 

7. The record of the magistrate’s warning must comply with Article 15.17(e), and must contain information indicating:

 

                                                              i.      The magistrate informed the person of the person’s right to request appointment of counsel;

 

                                                            ii.      The magistrate asked the person whether the person wanted to request appointment of counsel; and

 

                                                          iii.      Whether the person requested appointment of counsel.

 

This record may consist of written forms, electronic recordings, or other documentation as authorized by procedures adopted in the county under Article 26.04(a). Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 15.17(e)-(f).

 

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

 

DETERMINING INDIGENCE

 

DETERMINING INDIGENCE

1. Criteria For Indigence

 

                                                              i.      Definitions

 

1.      "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.

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

3.  “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.

 

                                                            ii.      Financial Standards for Determining Indigence:  The Court or the Court’s designee making court appointments of counsel for indigent persons shall consider the following standards for determining indigence and such other reasonable factors as the Court finds bearing on financial inability of a defendant to retain counsel:

 

1.      Defendant’s income from any and all sources;

2.      Sources of the defendant’s income;

3.      Assets of the defendant;

4.      Property owned by the defendant, or in which the defendant has an interest;

5.      Outstanding obligations of the defendant;

6.      Necessary expenses of the defendant;

7.      The number and age of the defendant’s legal dependents;

8.      Spousal income available to the defendant; and

9.      Such other reasonable factors as determined by the judge.

10.  The Court or the Court’s designee shall not consider whether the defendant has posted bail, except to the extent that it reflects on the defendant’s financial circumstances.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 26.04(l)-(m)

 

                                                          iii.      Application Process.  Persons who request a determination of indigency and appointment of counsel shall:

 

1.      Complete under oath the Affidavit of Indigency concerning financial resources, attached as Appendix 2, or such substantially similar Application as may be approved by the court;

2.      Respond under oath to an examination regarding his financial resources by the judge responsible for determining whether the defendant is indigent; or

3.   Complete the Affidavit of Indigency and respond to examination    by the judge.

 

                                                          iv.      Determination of Indigence.  A defendant shall be considered indigent if the person falls within any of the following criteria, as established by evidence deemed competent and reliable by the court:

 

1.      Poverty Guidelines.  The accused/defendant’s net household income is at or below the most recently published Federal Poverty Guidelines, as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and published annually in the Federal Register.  See, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml.

2.  Governmental Assistance.  The defendant or the defendant's dependants have been determined to be eligible to receive food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,  Supplemental Security Income, or public housing.

3.   In Custody.  The defendant is currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution and has no known assets, is currently held in custody and unable to post bail due to indigent status, 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.

4.  Other Factors.  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(s), 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 dependants. 

5.   A defendant who is determined by the court to be indigent is presumed to remain indigent for the remainder of the proceedings in the case unless a material change in the defendant’s financial circumstances occurs.  If there is a material change in financial circumstances after a determination of indigence or non-indigence is made, the defendant, the defendant’s counsel, or the attorney representing the State may move for reconsideration of the determination.  Tex. Code   Crim. Proc. Art. 26.04(p).

 

                                                            v.      Partial Indigence.  Pursuant to Art. 26.05 (g), if the Court finds that the defendant is employed, and has financial resources that enable him to offset in part the costs of the legal services provided, the court shall ORDER that the defendant pay during the pendency of the charges the amount that it finds the defendant is able to pay.  Failure to make payments as required may result in the dismissal and discharge of the attorney appointed.

 

                                                          vi.      Employment of Retained Counsel.  A defendant who retains counsel following the appointment of counsel shall be required to repay the costs of the court-appointed legal services provided.

 

MINIMUM ATTORNEY QUALIFICTIONS

 

     a.    The judge hearing felony criminal cases shall establish attorney appointment lists for the felony offenses. Nothing in this plan is intended or shall be construed to obligate Fannin County by contract or to bestow any right of employment. To be eligible for an appointment list, an attorney must meet the following minimum requirements:

 

i.    Attorneys must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

 

ii. Attorneys must be members in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

 

  iii. Attorneys must devote at least forty (40%) percent of their time practicing criminal law in the State of Texas or must be board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in criminal law.

 

iv. Attorneys appointed must not have been found by any court to have engaged in professional misconduct within the last five (5) years.

 

v. Attorneys must not have received a public reprimand or greater penalty from the State Bar of Texas within the last five (5) years.

 

vi. Attorneys must not have been convicted, given probation, deferred adjudication or fined for a felony level offense, or a crime involving moral turpitude, or any misdemeanor Class A or Class B offense within the last five (5) years.

 

vii. Attorneys must not be currently under indictment or charged with a felony or a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or any misdemeanor Class A or Class B offense.

 

viii. Attorneys must complete at least ten (10) hours of CLE in criminal law each year. All attorneys must file with the 336^th District Court coordinator a copy of the attorney’s Continuing Legal Education annual report form no later than December 30^th of each year. Such report shall reflect a minimum of ten (10) hours in criminal law. An attorney is allowed a maximum of five (5) hours of self-study to count toward CLE requirements. Attorneys may carry over up to 10 hours in criminal law to the next reporting year.  Those attorneys who fail to comply with the CLE provisions of the plan will be removed on January 30^th of each year unless good cause is shown not to do so.

 

ix. Attorneys must have handled at least five (5) contested criminal trials before the court and/or (5) criminal jury trials and/or criminal appeals greater than Class “C” offenses with lead counsel experience in at least two (2) felony cases.

 

x. Attorneys must have an office with a physical address that can be given to defendants.

 

xi. Attorneys must have the ability to produce typed motions and orders and have an office capable of receiving email and/or electronic communications, and telephone calls.

 

xii. Attorneys must complete an application/affidavit and provide all relevant information to be considered for inclusion in this Plan and ensure all information on the application is correct. (See Appendix 3)

 

 xiii. Attorneys applying for inclusion in this Plan agree to be bound by and accept as a condition of appointment the schedule for Court-appointed attorneys fees set forth herein.

 

xiv. Attorneys are required to act with competence, commitment and dedication to the interest of the accused/defendant and with zeal and advocacy upon the defendant’s behalf consistent with the Texas Lawyer’s Creed and Rules of Professional Conduct.

 

xv. Attorneys are under an independent and ethical duty to supplement their application/affidavit with information that may affect their eligibility for court appointments under this plan.

 

xvi. An attorney meeting all the qualifications under the plan must be approved by the 336^th District Court Judge for consideration and inclusion on the felony appointment list.

 

                               xvii. An attorney must be licensed at least two years and practice in the area of criminal law at least two years prior to consideration on the felony appointment list. 

 

b. Attorney Reporting 

      An attorney shall submit by October 15th each year a statement that describes the pecentage of the attorney's practice time that was dedicated to work based on appointments accepted in this county for adult criminal cases and juvenile delinquency cases for the prior 12 months that begins on October 1 and ends on Septmber 30. The report must be submitted through the online form to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. Proof of compliance with this provision shall be provided to the District Court by submitting to the District Court Coordinator, either in writing or email, a copy of the report submitted to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

 

c. Duties/Responsibilities of Attorneys to Accused/Defendant

 

 i. Appointed attorneys shall make every reasonable effort to contact the defendant not later than the end of the first working day after the date on which the attorney is appointed and to interview the defendant as soon as practicable after the attorney is appointed.

 

ii. Attorneys are appointed to represent an indigent defendant until the defendant is acquitted, appeals are exhausted, or the Court, after entering a finding of good cause on the record, relieves the attorney  and/or replaces the attorney with other counsel.

 

                  iii. Attorneys appointed in misdemeanor cases are responsible to ascertain whether an indigent client has a pending felony or is subsequently charged with a felony offense to which another attorney 

                  has been appointed.  If this occurs, it shall be the misdemeanor attorney’s immediate responsibility to inform the Court and the felony appointed attorney so that a substitution may be effected.  The

                 withdrawing misdemeanor attorney shall immediately make arrangements for an orderly transfer of his/her files(s) and also must submit their bill for services to the appropriate Court.

d. Procedures for Removal of Attorneys from the Court Appointed Lists

 

 i. Grounds for removal – An attorney may be removed from the appointment list if the attorney:

1.      has twice or more failed to contact or interview clients in a timely manner as required by Article 26.04(j)(1), Code of Criminal Procedure;

2.      has submitted a claim for legal services not performed as specified in Article 26.05(e), Code of Criminal Procedure;

3.      fails to maintain compliance with each of the appointment list guidelines;

4.      has been found by a court to have provided ineffective assistance of counsel;

5.      has violated a rule of professional responsibility;

6.      has been convicted of or received a deferred adjudication for any offense, other than an offense punishable by a fine only;

7.      is under indictment or being formally charged with an offense, other than an offense punishable by a fine only; or

8.      has intentionally misrepresented statements on the application for the appointment list.

 

  ii. An attorney may also be removed from the appointment list for any other stated good cause.

Prompt Appointment of Counsel

 

PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION, APPOINTMENT AND NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL.

 

a.  Consideration of Application by Court or Court’s designee

 

i.  Court or Court’s designee.  Determination of indigency and appointment of counsel under this plan may be made by either the 336^th District Judge or the Court’s designee for felony level offenses or misdemenaor offenses over which the District Court has jurisdiction.

 

ii.  Persons in custody.  After receiving notice from the magistrate that an arrested person has requested the appointment of counsel, the Court or Court’s designee shall review the Affidavit of Indigency and such other information bearing on the financial status of the defendant and make a determination of indigent status and appoint counsel not later than the end of the third working day after the date on which the Court or Court’s designee receives the request, or, if later, within the time frame set forth in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

 

iii.  Persons not in custody.  If the accused/defendant is released from custody by posting a bond or otherwise prior to 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. Art. 1.051(j).  Determinations of indigence and appointment of counsel for persons not in custody shall be made by the presiding judge of the Court in which the case is filed prior to or at the next scheduled appearance following the submission of the application.

 

iv.  If a defendant wishes to request counsel prior to the initial appearance, the forms required to request counsel may be obtained at the Texas Indigent Defense Commission's website at http://tidc.tamu.edu/public.net/ or from the Fannin County District Clerk. The defendant may submit these forms to the Fannin County District Clerk. The court will rule on all requests for counsel submitted in this manner. 

 

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

 

vi.  If an indigent defendant is arrested in another county based on this count's warrant, counsel will be appointed within 3 working days of this county's receipt of the request for counsel.

 

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

 

      b. Appointment of Counsel and Procedure for Notification of Appointment

 

i.        Notification of Court Appointed Counsel. At the time the Court or Court’s designee finds that the defendant is indigent and appoints an attorney, the district clerk or court coordinator shall notify both the defendant and attorney, and may use the Notice of Appointment form attached as Appendix 4 to provide said notice, or any other written order generated by the Court reflecting appointment of counsel.

 

                  ii. If the defendant is in custody, a copy of the Order of Appointment shall be delivered to the Fannin County Sheriff to be provided to the defendant. If the defendant is not in custody, the Order of 

                      Appointment shall be mailed to the defendant’s address of record.

 

iii. The appointed attorney shall ordinarily be notified of the appointment by email or electronic communication, but any other method of notification deemed expedient by the Court may be used in appropriate circumstances. At the time of the appointment, the attorney shall be informed whether the defendant is or is not in the custody of the Fannin County Sheriff.

 

Attorney Selection Process

 

STANDARDS FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL  

a. Felony Appointment List (State Jail Felony/Third Degree Felony).  All attorneys meeting the qualifications for appointment and who have been approved by the 336^th District Judge shall be placed on the State Jail Felony/Third degree Felony Appointment List.  Application shall be made in writing on a form approved by the 336^th District Judge. (Appendix 3)

 

b. Felony Appointment List (All levels).  All attorneys meeting the qualifications for   appointment and who have been approved by the 336^th District Judge shall be placed on the Felony Appointment List for all felony matters after demonstrating competence in the handling of criminal matters of State Jail and Third Degree felony level.  Application for consideration to handle all levels of felony offenses can be made on the court’s motion or upon the request of an attorney. In the event an attorney requests to be included on the felony appointment list to handle all levels of felony criminal offenses, the attorney shall make said request in writing on a form approved by the 336^th District Judge. (Appendix 3)

                 

 

c.   Allocation of Appointments.

i. Attorneys shall be appointed from the Felony Appointment List using a system of rotation.  Attorneys shall be appointed from among the next five names on the appointment list in the order in which the attorneys’ names appear on the list, unless the Court makes a finding of good cause on the record for appointing an attorney out of order. 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. The appointments shall be made in a fair, neutral, and non-discriminatory manner.

 

ii. Appointment by rotation shall not be required in the following circumstances:

1.  An attorney previously appointed to represent an accused/defendant that has a pending felony case shall also be appointed on any subsequent felony case(s) that defendant might have prior to the completion of the initial appointment.

2.  If defendant has both felony and misdemeanor charges pending, the appointment of attorney shall be made by the District Court Judge consistent with the system of rotation.

3.  The attorney appointed on the original case in which the defendant was placed on probation and a subsequent MTA/MTR was filed, the Court shall first consider the appointed attorney who originally handled the case unless good cause is shown, then the Court will defer to the standard appointment rotation.

4.  If the Court or the Court’s designee determines that the defendant does not speak and understand the English language or that the defendant is deaf, the Court or the Court’s designee shall make an effort to appoint an attorney who is capable of communicating in a language understood by the defendant. 

5.  Any other matter for which the court determines good cause as set forth in the Code of Criminal Procedure.

d. Attorney Selection Process for Adults (Rotation and Participation in the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases)

Capital Felony Cases

i. The Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases shall be appointed to all capital felony cases unless good cause exists to appoint private counsel.

    1. If a co-defendant requests appointment of counsel and is determined to be indigent, the Appointing Authority shall appoint counsel pursuant to the standards, and procedures stated in this   

        Section.

    2. If private counsel is appointed to a co-defendant, rather than the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases, co-counsel will be appointed using the standards and procedures stated in this

        Section.

ii. The Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases may refuse to accept appointment to a case if:

     1. A conflict of interest exists;

     2. The Office has insufficient resources to provide adequate representation;

     3. The Office is incapable of providing representation in accordance with the rules of professional conduct;

     4. Acceptance of the appointment would violate the maximum allowable caseloads established for the office; or

     5. The Office shows other good cause for refusing appointment.

iii. The Appointing Authority shall immediately contact the attorneys appointed by phone, fax, electronic communication, e-mail or in person and notify the attorneys of the appointment and the

      last known location of the defendant.

e. Judicial Removal from Case:

i. The judge presiding over a criminal case may remove appointed counsel upon enterring a written order shoing 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 defenant under these rules;

    4. Replacement of appointed counsel in a death peanalty 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 defendnat shows good cause for removal of counsel, including counsel's persistent or prolonged failure to communicate with the defendant.

ii.  Appointment of Replacement Counsel - Whenever appointed counsel is removed under this section, replacement counsel shall immmediately be selected and appointed in accordance wiith

     the procedures described in this plan

Fee and Expense Payment Process

 

COMPENSATION OF COUNSEL APPOINTED UNDER THIS PLAN.

 

a. Application for Payment for representation of persons charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses.  Counsel shall submit requests for payment according to the following provisions:

 

i. All requests for payment shall be made using the auditor’s approved Attorney Fee Voucher form, attached as Appendix 5, or such substantially similar voucher as may be approved by the court.  Unless the voucher is submitted to the Court at the plea hearing, the voucher shall be submitted to the Fannin County Clerk’s office for misdemeanor cases if the misdemeanor case was resolved in the County Court at Law, otherwise submit the fee voucher to the District Clerk’s office. For felony criminal cases, fee vouchers are to be submitted to the Fannin County District Clerk’s Office.

 

b.  Compensation for felony cases:

 

i. Attorneys are to be paid a reasonable fee for the following:  time spent in court making an appearance; reasonable and necessary time spent out of court on the case, supported by documentation that the court requires; preparation of an appellate brief and preparation and presentation of oral argument to an appellate court; and preparation of a motion for rehearing. A fee schedule is to govern these payments, taking into account reasonable and necessary overhead rates.  No payment is to be made to the attorney unless the judge approves the payment.  If the judge disapproves the requested amount, the judge shall make written findings stating the amount of payment and the reasons for any disapproval.  An attorney whose request for payment is disapproved may appeal the disapproval.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 26.05(a)-(e).

 

ii. The following are set as the minimum and maximum allowable fees for appointed Lead Counsel:

 

         1.  Hourly payment for felony cases (State Jail-First Degree) shall be made at a rate of $80 to $125 per hour for preparation time, contested hearings, trial and appeals. Board Certified attorneys will be compensated for their time at a higher rate than non-Board Certified attorneys.

         2.  Hourly payment for capital murder cases shall be at a rate of $200 per hour for preparation time, contested hearings, trial and appeal.  Second chair shall be paid at a rate of $150 per hour.

 

iii. The 336^th District Court Judge each year shall review the fee schedule and shall have the authority to modify the fee schedule.

 

c.  Timely Request for Compensation of Representation in Felony Cases.

         If possible, the attorney should present the court with a completed Attorney Fee Voucher form upon disposition of the case. An attorney verification form (Appendix 6) shall be attached to all attorney fee vouchers submitted for payment upon disposition of the case. In no event shall payment be requested more than 30 days after disposition of the case. Requests for payment submitted more than 30 days after disposition of the case WILL NOT BE APPROVED, except for good cause shown in highly unusual situations.

 

d. Partial Payments. 

         No advance payments will be made on felony cases. Partial payments will be allowed upon proper billing. Additionally, payment for the trial court disposition for felony cases, shall be made pending appeal. Payment for services performed on appeal would then be made at the conclusion of all appeals.

 

g. Appeals. 

         Application for payment for preparing and filing briefs on appeal shall be submitted at the conclusion of all appeals. The application for payment shall be submitted to the presiding trial court judge.  A copy of each brief prepared shall be submitted with the application for payment.

 

                     h. Investigative and Expert Expenses. Counsel appointed in felony cases shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses, including expenses for investigation and for mental health and other experts. Expenses incurred with and without prior court approval shall be reimbursed, according to the procedures set forth below. When possible, prior court approval should be obtained before incurring expenses for investigation and for mental health and other experts.

 

i. Procedure With Prior Court Approval:

           

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

 

                   a)  the type of investigation to be conducted or the type of expert to be retained, including the qualification of said expert(s) and disclosure of findings(s) by any court excluding the proposed expert(s) testimony due to lack of qualifications or unreliability of scientific theory applied by expert(s).

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

                        c)  an itemized list of anticipated expenses for each investigation or each expert.

 

         2.  The Court shall grant the request for payment of expenses in whole or in part if the request is reasonable. The attorney shall receive the billing from the appointed expert and verify the work has been performed as requested by the attorney by so stating on the face of the bill along with the attorney signature prior to submitting the bill for payment to the Court. The attorney is not required to pay the expert, but instead submit the bill directly to the Court for authorization of payment by the County Auditor directly to the expert. If the Court denies in whole or in part the request for expenses, the Court shall:

 

                        a)  state the reasons for the denial in writing;

                        b)  attach the denial to the confidential request; and

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

 

ii. Procedure Without Prior Court Approval.

 

         Appointed counsel may incur investigative or expert expenses without prior approval of the Court but does so at the risk of the expense not being reimbursed to the attorney.  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. Articles 26.05(f), (g) & (h), Code of Criminal Procedure

 

 

This plan was adopted and approved by the 336^th District Court Judge on the 29^th day of June 2010 and amended October 29, 2019.

 

 

______________________________________

Laurine J. Blake, Presiding Judge

336^th District Court

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

FANNIN COUNTY

DUE PROCESS AUDIT

 

 

Randomly, at least once each quarter, print a jail activity report for the period being audited.

The report shall reflect the arresting date and time, not the book-in date and time.

 

The magistrate acting as auditor (“Auditor”) shall take the jail activity report and accompany the magistrate to the jail.

 

The “Auditor” shall record the results of each person magistrated taking special care to note whether the arrested person is requesting appointment of legal counsel.

 

Note on the jail activity report the date and time magistration was performed.

 

On an excel (or comparable program) spreadsheet, the results of the audit shall be detailed using the following format:

            Name of arrested person

            Arrest date and time

            Magistration date and time

            Hours between arrested date and time and magistration date and time

            Court appointed attorney requested – Yes or No

Date court appointed attorney request form was electronically transmitted or hand delivered to the applicable court via the Clerk’s office for said court, or scanned and emailed to the applicable court in the Clerk’s office for said court.  The original magistrate’s form and court appointed attorney request form shall be delivered to applicable Clerk’s office by the magistrate or Sheriff’s Office personnel.

Notes – In the note column, record and highlight information applicable to the audit report such as:  “Within compliance” or “Arrested person not seen by magistrate and will be out of compliance if not seen by xxx date and time…”

 

The “Auditor” shall electronically transmit or email completed audit spreadsheet to the following:

            Sheriff

            Jail Lieutenant

            District Judge

            District Clerk’s Office

            County-Court-at-Law Judge

            Magistrates

            County Judge

 

As a review of the requirements of the Texas Fair Defense Act (Senate Bill 7 of the 2001 Legislature), now partially codified as Section 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, please note the following:

 

1)      The person having custody of an arrested person, not later than 48 hours after arrest, shall take the person before a magistrate.

2)      The magistrate shall determine whether the arrested person is requesting appointment of legal counsel.

 

3)      If counsel is requested and the magistrate lacks authority to appoint counsel for the level of offense charged, the magistrate shall not later than 24 hours transmit to the appropriate court the forms requesting appointment of counsel.

 

Fannin County’s plan of implementation requires:

 

1)  The appropriate Judge to appoint counsel not later than 3 days, after receipt of the request, and

           

2)      Appointed attorneys to contact the new client within 1 day, and to interview the defendant as soon as practical

 

In summary, Fannin County’s Judges should receive notice of a request for attorney not later than 72 hours after arrest, and the arrested person have counsel appointed with another 72 hours.

 

 

Fannin District Court Affidavit of Indigence.doc (10/31/2011 12:23:00 PM) view
Fannin District Court Attorney Application for Appointment.doc (5/26/2010 10:52:31 AM) view
Fannin District Court Attorney Fee Schedule.doc (11/19/2020 1:43:10 PM) view
Fannin District Court Attorney Fee Voucher.doc (5/26/2010 10:54:00 AM) view
Fannin District Court attorney verification.doc (5/26/2010 10:56:05 AM) view
Fannin District Court Fannin District Court Attorney Fee Schedule.docx (10/31/2023 4:24:49 PM) view
Fannin District Court Fannin District Court attorney verification 2011.doc.doc (10/31/2011 12:52:06 PM) view
Fannin District Court Fannin District Court order appointing attorney.doc.doc (10/31/2011 1:04:34 PM) view
Fannin District Court Magistrates Warning Form.doc (5/26/2010 10:51:03 AM) view
Fannin District Court order appointing attorney.doc (5/26/2010 10:55:31 AM) view