Indigent Defense

Information About Your Right to a Court Appointed Attorney


How do I know if I am eligible for a Court Appointed Attorney?

  1. You will have to provide the magistrate/indigent defense coordinator or the trial court judge with information pertaining to your financial situation under oath.
  2. The magistrate court judge/indigent defense coordinator will make the decision as to your eligibility for a court appointed attorney.
  3. Many factors are considered in this decision. In general, if you and your family’s income fall under the following income ranges you may be eligible for a court appointed attorney.

    2022 POVERTY GUIDELINES
    to be used for Denton County IDC
    Persons in
    family/household    		Poverty Guideline
    1$16,988
    2$22,888
    3$28,788
    4$34,688
    5$40,588
    6$46,488
    7$52,388
    8$58,288
    For families/households with more than 8
    persons, add $4,720 for each additional person.

  4. Other factors, such as savings, bank account balances, investments, and the existence of property which you may be able to sell or borrow against may impact your eligibility for a court appointed attorney.
  5. You may be eligible for a court appointed attorney if you and your family are currently experiencing extraordinary difficulties such as medical emergencies, divorce, recent job loss or reduction in income or the recent death of a person who contributes to your family’s financial needs.
  6. If you are released from jail on bail you should attempt to hire your own attorney. If you are unable to hire your own attorney, you may apply in person at the Denton County Indigent Defense Office (address listed at the top of page). At your appointment with the Indigent Defense Office, you should bring copies of any documents you believe support your eligibility for a court appointed attorney. Such documents may include, but are not limited to, payroll stubs, tax returns, and proof that you are receiving public assistance such as food stamps, SSI, etc.

HOW DO I Ask FOR A COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY?

  1. You can request a court appointed attorney at the time you meet with the Magistrate shortly after your arrest. If, at this time, you do not know whether you will be able to hire your own attorney, you may wait and make this decision at a later time.
  2. If your choose to wait, and it turns out you are unable to hire your own attorney, you can request a court appointed attorney by applying in person at the Indigent Defense Office (address listed at the top of the page) or at any required court appearance.
  3. If you remain in jail and would like to request a court appointed attorney, you may submit a REQUEST FOR COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY using the Kiosk located with the jail.

Is the Attorney Free?


In some cases , you may be required to reimburse the county for the expense of your court appointed attorney.

Will THE ATTORNEY Assist Me on Cases Pending In Other Counties?


No, your attorney is only appointed to represent you on Class A and Class B misdemeanors and felony charges pending in Denton County. If you have charges pending against you in other counties, you will have to make a request to those counties for the assistance of counsel on those charges.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DENTON COUNTY INDIGENT DEFENSE OFFICE AT 940-349-1890