Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

cruelty to animals misdameanor charge

a year and half ago i broke a contract for deed. The owner of the house took my dog and changed the locks. It took me a writ of entry to get my possesions from the house. When the writ of entry was executed five days later, i was met at the house by an animal control investigator. The investigator told me that i was being investigated for abandonment of the dog and that it had to be put down by a vet. The investigator told me he never saw the dog alive, but he would put a case together if he could and send it to the prosecutors. A year and a half later, i get stopped for a traffic infraction and there is a warrant for me on cruelty to animals. Is it relevant to the case that the owner of the house didnt have the right to take the dog? The owner of the house didnt follow proper procedure for eviction and he converted my personal property for his use. Also when i was arrested i posted bail and was released. Is it too late to get a court appointed attorney?

thanks in advance for any replies.


Asked on 2/21/05, 12:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
ERICK PLATTEN LAW OFFICE OF ERICK PLATTEN

Re: cruelty to animals misdameanor charge

As for your question... do you have the right to a court appointed attorney?

Everyone has the right to an attorney. Either people hire their own or the court appoints one for them if they are not finiacially able to afford an attorney.

What you will have to do is fill out and provide to the court is a form title a PAUPERS OATH.

Pauper basiclly means poor person.

The oath will require you to state if you are employed and what money you have saved or if you have property you can sell to hire an attorney.

This allegation of animal cruelty is not one you want on you record so take this matter seriously.

Sincerely,

Erick Platten

903-593-9100

Erick@TylerJustice

TylerJustice.com

Read more
Answered on 2/22/05, 12:09 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Texas