Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas
I have recently been released from TDCJ (Texas) on parole. I was sentenced to 4 years and just completed 17 months in prison. I had a misdemeanor charge unrelated to my TDCJ time. While I was incarcerated the county that I had the misdemeanor charge in had a hold on me for probation revocation. Upon my release from prison that county came to pick me up at the prison. I was given a 5000 dollar bond which my family posted bail. I went to the county clerks office and I applied for a court appointed attorney. I was told I would be contacted by mail with either the appointment or refusal of an attorney. Instead I recieved a form letter marked "other" stating I needed to come and see the judge at the appointed court date. My question is.... Is this an unusal occurance? I thought I had a right to some kind of counsel with me in court. I'm not sure what I need to do at this point. Could you please advise me on what my next step should be?
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Go to the court date. v An appointed attorney is not mandatory; the judge only has to appoint one if you cannot afford one. Some judges take the position that if you can afford bail, you can afford an attorney. This particular hearing will probably not deal with any issue other than whether you are entitled to an attorney.
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