Public defenders do not exist in most counties in Texas. You are required to be found indigent by the court to have an attorney appointed for you. It is not a formality to be found indigent.HKUSP45C wrote:Last time I checked, public defenders are available to anyone who asks for them to take the case. Regardless of their financial status.roberts wrote:It's disgusting that Bobby the Robber who never worked an honest day in his life and never paid taxes gets a free lawyer at taxpayer expense. But Joan the Plumber who works hard and pays her taxes has to hire a defense lawyer at her own expense when she shoots Bobby in her bedroom at 2am when he breaks in to rape her and steal her jewelry.AEA wrote:My opinion is that until proven guilty the access to law/courts should be no cost to citizens. And I do not agree with any "Court Costs" either. It is all bull as far as I am concerned. Just another money grab.
I am a lawyer and have seen the wide disparity between cases regarding the finding of indigency and the quality of the appointed counsel. It just depends on who is next on the "list" or present in the courtroom or recently asked to judge to get appointments.
The good news is that there is a more stringent requirement to be appointed on a capital case. Those defenders are required to have a minimum of trial experience as first or second chair with capital charges.
So, try to get charged with a capital crime if you want an appointed attorney.
