Historically, Dallas County criminal defendants charged with felonies who ask judges for free lawyers receive them regardless of whether they can afford to hire their own.
No one knows for sure how many offenders lie about their finances to cheat the system at taxpayers' expense.
But despite a looming $60 million county budget shortfall this year and skyrocketing indigent defense costs, most local district court judges are not willing to try to find out.
Bell County utilizes indigent defense coordinators to whom judges send defendants requesting an appointed attorney. A sworn application is made requiring the defendant to detail expenses and sources of revenue. Unfortunately, there is insufficient staff (and time) to truly investigate claims of indigency, but it does help some. It is my understanding, from a Morning News article, that Dallas judges do not wish to turn over that function to third parties.
Posts: 171 | Location: Belton, Texas, USA | Registered: April 26, 2001
Here it pretty much seems like you say your poor and you get an appointed. They fill out a paupers oath and speak to the judge. They usually get a couple of resets to hire someone....but a lot get attorneys while on bond.
