Defense Attorneys

FAQs

What are attorney's primary responsibilities?

Attorneys, by a state's bar admission, are expected to both uphold the law and protect the rights of their clients. In addition to knowing the law, particularly within his or her practice area, an attorney must be able to communicate clearly with their clients, work competently to resolve their clients' needs, and be ethical in the performance of their overall handling of a case.

What documents can be faxed in?

Attorney Representation Letters and Motions can be faxed to 817-459-6965. Please allow 1 business day for processing.

Can I get bond forms at the court?

No. The court does not provide bond forms.

When posting a bond, what is the bond amount?

The bond amount is the total of the fine and costs on the case. Unless the judge has set a different amount for the case.

Does my client need to appear in court with me?

The court will send a summons to the defendant and the attorney for each case.

For pre-trial dockets, however, the judges will generally excuse the defendant's presence if the attorney enters a plea of Guilty or No Contest, or if the attorney enters a plea of Not Guilty and requests a bench trial. Only on cases where a jury trial is requested do the judges require the defendant's presence.

For trial dockets, the defendant must be present for the case to proceed.

If my client is a juvenile do they need to appear in open court?

Yes. If the defendant is/was a juvenile (10-16 years of age) at the time of the violation, the defendant, the parent and the attorney must appear in open court.

If my client is a minor charged with an alcohol related offense, must the minor be present in court to enter a plea?

Yes. If a person under the age 21 (and not a juvenile) is charged with an alcohol related offense, minor must appear in open court with the attorney.

What should I do if my client already has a court date and I have been hired to represent them?

Defendant is still required to attend the scheduled court date, and the newly hired attorney may attend as well or file a motion with the court.

If I am set for a future docket, can I appear at an earlier time to resolve a case?

Yes. There are daily Walk-In times available. You must see a window clerk before the scheduled Walk-in time you wish to attend.