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1. Who Qualifies for a Court Appointed Attorney?

Please refer to the Brazos County Indigent Defense Plan for a complete explanation of who qualifies for a court appointed attorney and how attorneys are selected.
Go to the Misdemeanor Associate Court Home Page.

2. How do I apply for a Court Appointed Attorney?

• All persons incarcerated are provided the opportunity to complete an Affidavit in Support of Court Appointed Attorney prior to magistrate warnings at the Brazos County Jail. If you did not apply for an attorney at your initial appearance and you remain incarcerated, you may ask jail personnel for an application and forward the request to the Misdemeanor Associate Judge for review.
  
• If you apply for a court appointed attorney but bond out of jail within three days of your arrest, it will be necessary for you to complete a new Affidavit in Support of Court Appointed Attorney and forward the notarized Affidavit to the Misdemeanor Associate Judge during normal business hours for review.
  
• You may apply for a court appointed attorney at your first court appearance or any time prior to your first court appearance by completing and forwarding a notarized Affidavit to the Misdemeanor Associate Judge during normal business hours.

When completing your request for a court appointed attorney, you must answer every question on the Affidavit in Support of Court Appointed Attorney, provide copies of supporting documentation and swear to the accuracy of the information before a notary or court clerk. Failure to properly complete your request will result in denial of a court appointed attorney.
Please refer to the Brazos County Indigent Defense Plan for a complete explanation of who qualifies for a court appointed attorney and how attorneys are selected.
Go to the Misdemeanor Associate Court Home Page.

3. What are my responsibilities once I have been appointed an attorney?

• If you are not incarcerated, it is your responsibility to contact the attorney appointed for an initial appointment.
• If you are not incarcerated, it is your responsibility to maintain contact with your court appointed attorney.
• It is your responsibility to maintain an accurate address and other contact information with the court.
• Should any of your financial circumstances change after completion of your Affidavit in Support for Court Appointed Attorney, it is your responsibility to provide the updated information to the court.

Go to the Misdemeanor Associate Court Home Page.

4. Do I have to attend my court setting?

You must attend all court settings unless you have prior approval by the court to reset your case. If you fail to appear at your court appearance, a warrant will issue for your arrest. Hospital excuses are not sufficient to excuse your court appearance unless it is a life threatening circumstance.
Go to the Misdemeanor Associate Court Home Page.