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APPLICATIONNew Application
Applications must be submitted during one of two periods each calendar year: July 1 through July 14; and November 1 through December 31.

Application Process for District Court Appointments

Applications for all Non-MHMC felony lists will be reviewed by the district judges and decided by majority vote. Applications for placement on the MHMC felony list will be reviewed and decided by the MHMC director. The MHMC list is comprised of a limited number of attorneys. Placement on the list will be determined by the MHMC director based on the needs of the MHMC program, attorney qualifications, and attorney performance. Applications must be submitted during one of two periods each calendar year: July 1 through July 14; and November 1 through December 31. The district judges and MHMC director reserve the authority to limit the number of attorneys on the appointment lists as necessary to ensure the effective representation of indigent defendants, to maintain the integrity of the lists and appointment process, and to comply with legal and ethical standards governing the provision of indigent defense services.

Minimum standards for placement on a felony appointment list include the following:

An attorney must:
1. Provide accurate and complete information on his or her application;
2. Be a licensed practicing attorney and member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;
3. Have at least two (2) years of experience practicing criminal law;
4. Be a resident of Collin County, maintain a principal office in Collin County, or have at least 80% of the attorney’s practice in Collin County;
5. Be certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; OR complete a minimum of ten (10) hours of continuing legal education (“CLE”) in the area of criminal law each year. New applicants must have completed at least ten (10) hours of CLE in the calendar year preceding the submission of their application. An attorney must file a certificate with the Indigent Defense Office each year attesting to completion of required CLE. CLE completed during any reporting period in excess of the minimum may be applied to the following period’s requirement. The carryover provision applies to one year only;
6. Submit on or before October 15th of each year a statement describing the percentage of the attorney’s practice time in connection with Collin County appointments for adult criminal and juvenile delinquency cases for the prior twelve (12) months (October 1 – September 30). The report must be submitted electronically using the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (“TIDC”) website;
7. Not have been the recipient of a public disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas or any other attorney licensing authority of any state or the United States within the last five (5) years;
8. Maintain an office capable of sending and receiving email, fax, and voice calls;
9. Have the means to produce typed motions and orders;
10. Notify the local administrative district judge promptly, in writing, of any matter that would disqualify the attorney by law, regulation, rule, or this Plan from receiving appointments to represent indigent defendants; and
11. Provide three (3) letters of reference from members of the Collin County Bar Association or Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association;

Additional eligibility requirements for each graduated list are as described below. An attorney may apply for and be placed on more than one list:

1. State Jail and Third Degree Felonies
An attorney must:
a. Be certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specializtion; OR have experience as lead counsel in at least four (4) criminal cases tried to verdict before a jury. The styles and cause numbers of each case must be included in the application.

2. Second and First Degree Felonies
An attorney must:
a. Have at least four (4) years of experience practicing criminal law; and
b. Be certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; OR have experience as lead counsel in at least eight (8) cases tried to verdict before a jury, at least four (4) of which were felonies. The styles and cause numbers of each case must be included in the application.

3. Crimes Against Children (“CAC”)
An attorney must:
a. Have at least five (5) years of experience practicing criminal law;
b. Have at least three (3) years of experience handling CAC cases;
c. Have at least eight (8) hours of CLE in sex crimes; and
d. Be certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; OR have experience as lead counsel in at least six (6) felony cases tried to verdict before a jury, and experience as lead counsel in at least six (6) trials of CAC cases tried to verdict before a jury. The styles and cause numbers of each case must be included in the application.

4. Appeals and Non-Capital Writs
An attorney must:
a. Be certified in criminal law or criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization;
b. Have personally authored and filed at least three (3) criminal appellate briefs or post-conviction writs of habeus corpus;
c. Have submitted an appellate writing sample approved by a majority of the district judges; or
d. Have worked as a briefing clerk of an appellate court of record for at least one (1) year.

5. MHMC Cases:
An attorney must:
a. Be approved for the corresponding felony list;
b. Have served as a prosecutor in a county or district attorney’s office for at least two (2) years or have practiced criminal defense law on a regular basis for a minimum of two (2) years;
c. An attorney must be certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization OR have experience as lead counsel in at least eight (8) cases tried to verdict before a jury;
d. Have been lead counsel in at least three (3) mental health cases, in all of which at least one of the following issues was presented: competency, sanity or court-ordered mental health treatment. The styles and cause numbers of each case must be included in the application;
e. Complete at least six (6) hours of mental-health-related CLE each year. New applicants must have completed at least six (6) hours of the CLE in the calendar year preceding the submission of their application;
f. Be familiar with the Texas Mental Health Code; and
g. Comply with all MHMC program policies and procedures.

Complete the application, attach ALL supporting documentation and click submit.

Incomplete applications or attorneys who do not meet the criteria will NOT be considered.

Application Process for District Court Appointments

Applications for all Non-MHMC felony lists will be reviewed by the district judges and decided by majority vote. Applications for placement on the MHMC felony list will be reviewed and decided by the MHMC director. The MHMC list is comprised of a limited number of attorneys. Placement on the list will be determined by the MHMC director based on the needs of the MHMC program, attorney qualifications, and attorney performance. The district judges and MHMC director reserve the authority to limit the number of attorneys on the appointment lists as necessary to ensure the effective representation of indigent defendants, to maintain the integrity of the lists and appointment process, and to comply with legal and ethical standards governing the provision of indigent defense services.

ANNUAL RENEWAL APPLICATION - ATTORNEY INFORMATION
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- Last Name:*field type single line
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- Email Address:*field type email
- Home Address (No P.O. Boxes):*field type address
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- Business Address (No P.O. Boxes):*field type address
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- Mailing Address (If different):field type address
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- Date Licensed:*field type date
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  PLEASE CHECK HERE IF YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION HAS CHANGED
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ANNUAL RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY - DISTRICT COURTS OF COLLIN COUNTY
×
- Foreign Languages (Must be fluent)field type checkbox
  Foreign Languages (Must be fluent)SpanishOther(s)
- Sign Language*field type radio button
  Sign LanguageYesNo
- Are you a Veteran?*field type radio button
  Are you a Veteran?YesNo
- Please select the level of appointments for which you are renewing.*field type checkbox
  (You can only renew for levels/lists in which you are currently approved. A new application is required for all others that you are requesting approval for.)
  Please select the level of appointments for which you are renewing.1st & 2nd3rd & SJFAppealsCACMHMC
- Please select the MHMC level of appointments for which you are renewing.*field type checkbox
  (You can only renew for levels/lists in which you are currently approved. A new application is required for all others that you are requesting approval for.)
  Please select the MHMC level of appointments for which you are renewing.1st & 2nd3rd & SJFAppealsCAC
- To the Board of District Judges:
  1. I am licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
  2. I certify that I live in Collin County, maintain my principal office in Collin County or have 80% of my practice in Collin County.
  3. I have submitted a statement describing the percentage of the attorney’s practice time in connection with Collin County appointments for adult criminal and juvenile delinquency cases for the prior twelve (12) months through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (“TIDC”) website;
  4. I have not been the recipient of a public disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas or any other attorney licensing authority of any state or the United States within the last five (5) years;
  5. I maintain an office capable of sending and receiving email, fax, and voice calls;
  6. I have the means to produce typed motions and orders;
  7. I will notify the local administrative district judge promptly, in writing, of any matter that would disqualify me by law, regulation, rule, or this Plan from receiving appointments to represent indigent defendants;
  8. Attached is the most recent State Bar CLE compliance form demonstrating that I have completed ten hours per year of CLE in criminal law.
- Attach most recent CLE compliance sheet from State Bar.*field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
  Note: for specialty wheels such as CAC, MHMC your CLE printout may not reflect courses in these subject areas. You should attach program agendas to specify courses and hours in these areas. Incomplete CLE information to support your application will result in a rejected application.
- I further certify that I am familiar with the requirements of Texas Senate Bill 7 (The Fair Defense Act) and have read the Collin County Fair Defense Plan and that I will comply with all the duties and requirements of the Act and Fair Defense Plan in representing my clients in cases which I am appointed. I affirm under oath that the representations in this application are true. I further agree to notify all judges, in writing, if any of the representations in this application change.*field type radio button
  I further certify that I am familiar with the requirements of Texas Senate Bill 7 (The Fair Defense Act) and have read the Collin County Fair Defense Plan and that I will comply with all the duties and requirements of the Act and Fair Defense Plan in representing my clients in cases which I am appointed. I affirm under oath that the representations in this application are true. I further agree to notify all judges, in writing, if any of the representations in this application change.Yes
- Signature*field type signature
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NEW APPLICATION - ATTORNEY INFORMATION
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- Last Name:*field type single line
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- Email Address:*field type email
- Home Address (No P.O. Boxes):*field type address
  Street Address
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  Postal / Zip Code
  Country
- Business Address (No P.O. Boxes):*field type address
  Street Address
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  Postal / Zip Code
  Country
- Mailing Address (If Different):field type address
  Street Address
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  Postal / Zip Code
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- Cell Phone:*(?)field type single line
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- Office Phone:*(?)field type single line
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- Date Licensed:*field type date
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NEW APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AS COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY DISTRICT COURTS OF COLLIN COUNTY
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- Foreign Languages (Must be fluent)field type checkbox
  Foreign Languages (Must be fluent)SpanishOther(s)
- Sign Language*field type radio button
  Sign LanguageYesNo
- Are you a Veteran*field type radio button
  Are you a VeteranYesNo
- Are you Board Certified in Criminal Law?*field type radio button
  Are you Board Certified in Criminal Law?YesNo
- Do you have any fee sharing, work sharing, or similar agreements with any other attorney relating to any court appointed work?*field type radio button
  Do you have any fee sharing, work sharing, or similar agreements with any other attorney relating to any court appointed work?YesNo
- If yes, please describe on a separate sheet.*field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
- For what level of appointments are you applying?*field type checkbox
  For what level of appointments are you applying?1st & 2nd3rd & SJFAppealsCACMHMC
- For what level of MHMC appointments are you applying?*field type checkbox
  For what level of MHMC appointments are you applying?1st & 2nd3rd & SJFAppealsCAC
- Minimum Standards:
  
  1.         Provide accurate and complete information on his or her application;
  
  2.         Be a licensed practicing attorney and member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas;
  
  3.         Have at least two (2) years of experience practicing criminal law;
  
  4. Be a resident of Collin County, maintain a principal office in Collin County, or have at least 80% of the attorney’s practice in Collin County;
  
  5.   Be certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; OR complete a minimum of ten (10) hours of continuing legal education (“CLE”) in the area of criminal law each year. New applicants must have completed at least ten (10) hours of CLE in the calendar year preceding the submission of their application. An attorney must file a certificate with the Indigent Defense Office each year attesting to completion of required CLE. CLE completed during any reporting period in excess of the minimum may be applied to the following period’s requirement. The carryover provision applies to one year only;
  
  6.       Submit on or before October 15^th of each year a statement describing the percentage of the attorney’s practice time in connection with Collin County appointments for adult criminal and juvenile delinquency cases for the prior twelve (12) months (October 1 – September 30). The report must be submitted electronically using the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (“TIDC”) website;
  
  7.     Not have been the recipient of a public disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas or any other attorney licensing authority of any state or the United States within the last five (5) years;
  
  8.          Maintain an office capable of sending and receiving email, fax, and voice calls;
  
  9.            Have the means to produce typed motions and orders;
  
  10. Notify the local administrative district judge promptly, in writing, of any matter that would disqualify the attorney by law, regulation, rule, or this Plan from receiving appointments to represent indigent defendants; and
  
  11. Provide three (3) letters of reference from members of the Collin County Bar Association or Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association;
- Attach most recent CLE compliance sheet from State Bar and docket sheets, or other proof of jury trials in which you have served as lead counsel. If applying for the Appeal List, attach writing samples. Attach three (3) letters of reference from members of the Collin County Bar Association or Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association.*field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
  Note: for specialty wheels such as CAC, MHMC your CLE printout may not reflect courses in these subject areas. You should attach program agendas to specify courses and hours in these areas. Incomplete CLE information to support your application will result in a rejected application.
- I further certify that I am familiar with the requirements of Texas Senate Bill 7 (The Fair Defense Act) and have read the Collin County Fair Defense Plan and that I will comply with all the duties and requirements of the Act and Fair Defense Plan in representing my clients in cases which I am appointed. I affirm under oath that the representations in this application are true. I further agree to notify all judges, in writing, if any of the representations in this application change.*field type radio button
  I further certify that I am familiar with the requirements of Texas Senate Bill 7 (The Fair Defense Act) and have read the Collin County Fair Defense Plan and that I will comply with all the duties and requirements of the Act and Fair Defense Plan in representing my clients in cases which I am appointed. I affirm under oath that the representations in this application are true. I further agree to notify all judges, in writing, if any of the representations in this application change.Yes
- Signature*field type signature
- Datefield type date
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SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR MHMC WHEEL
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- 1. Have you worked at a District or County Attorney’s Office handling criminal matters?*field type radio button
  1. Have you worked at a District or County Attorney’s Office handling criminal matters?YesNo
- Dates of employment: / County:*field type multi line
- 2. Have you worked at a Public Defender’s Office?*field type radio button
  2. Have you worked at a Public Defender’s Office?YesNo
- Dates of employment: / County:*field type multi line
- 3a. Years in Criminal Law:*field type number
- 3b. Years in Civil Law:*field type number
- 4. Percentage of present law practice spent on criminal or related matters?*field type number
- 5. Criminal Practice Specialties/Board certifications (i.e., violent felonies, DWI, juvenile, narcotics):*field type multi line
- 6. Bar Association Memberships:*field type multi line
- 7. Law School Attended:*field type single line
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- Graduation Date:*field type date
- 8. Are you currently in good standing with the State Bar of Texas?*field type radio button
  8. Are you currently in good standing with the State Bar of Texas?YesNo
- If no, please attach separate sheet with explanation.*field type file upload
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- 8a - 8h. Are you currently or have you ever been:
- 8a. Appealing any sanction by the State Bar other than a private reprimand?*field type radio button
  8a. Appealing any sanction by the State Bar other than a private reprimand?YesNo
- 8b. Under indictment or charged with a criminal offense other than a traffic offense?*field type radio button
  8b. Under indictment or charged with a criminal offense other than a traffic offense?YesNo
- 8c. On community supervision (deferred adjudication or "regular" community supervision)?*field type radio button
  8c. On community supervision (deferred adjudication or "regular" community supervision)?YesNo
- 8d. Convicted of an offense punishable by confinement?*field type radio button
  8d. Convicted of an offense punishable by confinement?YesNo
- 8e. Publicly sanctioned by a State Bar Grievance Committee in this state?*field type radio button
  8e. Publicly sanctioned by a State Bar Grievance Committee in this state?YesNo
- 8f. Sanctioned for failure to appear before a court?*field type radio button
  8f. Sanctioned for failure to appear before a court?YesNo
- 8g. Removed from a case for "cause"?*field type radio button
  8g. Removed from a case for "cause"?YesNo
- 8h. Found by any trial or appellate court to have rendered ineffective assistance of counsel?*field type radio button
  8h. Found by any trial or appellate court to have rendered ineffective assistance of counsel?YesNo
- *If the answer is "yes" to 8a. - 8h., please attach a copy and/or written explanation of the related information.*field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
- 9. Have you ever admitted, in connection with an official proceeding, to having provided ineffective assistance of counsel?*field type radio button
  9. Have you ever admitted, in connection with an official proceeding, to having provided ineffective assistance of counsel?YesNo
- *If the answer is "yes", please attach a copy and/or written explanation of the related information.*field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
- 10. Which categories of cases are you currently authorized to accept appointments?field type checkbox
  10. Which categories of cases are you currently authorized to accept appointments?Misdemeanor AppealsMisdemeanor TrialSJF and 3rd degree1st and 2nd degreeFelony AppealsSex Crimes (6 felony sex crime jury trials required to qualify)
- 11a. Please list anything about your background or experience that you believe would be helpful to you as a member of the Defendants with Mental Illnesses Appointment list.*field type multi line
- 11b. Attach document for additional room.field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
- 12a. What is the most significant case you worked on as an appointed attorney? Why?*field type multi line
- 12b. Attach document for additional room.field type file upload
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- Please attach a resume or statement that you wish to have considered regarding your qualifications to be on the Private Defender Panel.*field type file upload
  PDF ONLY
- I further certify I will comply with the policies and procedures of the MHMC Program. All representations in this application are true. I further agree to notify the MHMC office in writing, if any of the representations in this application change.*field type radio button
  I further certify I will comply with the policies and procedures of the MHMC Program. All representations in this application are true. I further agree to notify the MHMC office in writing, if any of the representations in this application change.Yes
- Signature*field type signature
- Datefield type date
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Indigent Defense New Application Review
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- Notes to Attorneyfield type multi line
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Indigent Defense Renewal Application Review
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Orientation
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Application for District Court Appointments

Application Process for District Court Appointments

Application Process for District Court Appointments

ANNUAL RENEWAL APPLICATION - ATTORNEY INFORMATION

ANNUAL RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY - DISTRICT COURTS OF COLLIN COUNTY

NEW APPLICATION - ATTORNEY INFORMATION

NEW APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AS COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY DISTRICT COURTS OF COLLIN COUNTY

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR MHMC WHEEL

Indigent Defense New Application Review

Indigent Defense Renewal Application Review

Judges Decision - New Application

Judges Decision - Renewal Application

Orientation