A friend of mine was indicted on a possession charge in the state of Texas. The court granted that she could not afford counsel, and appointed her legal counsel. Never was she told she would be held accountable for the attorneys fees nor any portion of the expense of representation.
She chose to fight the charge against her; needless to say with the counsel she had for representation her efforts were less than fruitful as the attorney did no more than stand by while she was sentenced. Six months after the Final Sentencing was signed and filed she recieved a letter from the court billing her $1,800. for the attorneys fee which she would be allowed to make monthly payments. Also she was instructed to pay the court cost in monthly payments to the County Sheriff's Department instead of the Court Clerk. I have spent some time looking at the statues, I can not find where the court after the sentencing would bill for representation nor direct court cost to a Sheriff's Dept.
2007-10-21 23:30:20 · 4 answers · asked by lseward2005 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Free legal services should have been given to an indigent litigant. The court should have informed the accused that the availment of the lawyer was not free before the services were solicited from the lawyer.
2007-10-21 23:40:31 · answer #1 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to remain silent,any thing you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,if you can not afford an attorney one will be appointed to you.If a person can't afford an attorney why in the hell would they appoint you one?I would refuse payment,and tell them to contact your attorney
2007-10-21 23:42:06 · answer #2 · answered by jasonbatla 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ISomething smells fishy to me.
You should have a Legal Aid Society in the State of Texas that should provide free legal services to persons that can't afford to pay for legal services.
Type in Legal Aid Society into the local section of your Yahoo or other search engine(s) and that should get you to the nearest office.
You could also contact your nearest Department of Social Services and they should be able to direct you to them.
2007-10-22 00:25:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never use a Court appointed attorney, in the long run you can't afford it...
2007-10-21 23:48:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋