FAQs

What do I do if the police want to ask me questions?

DO NOT TALK to the police. Do not answer questions. Ask for an attorney.

Really? They said if I cooperate things will go easier.

Really. DO NOT TALK to the police. Ask for an attorney. The police can lie to you, they do not have to tell you the truth. Frazier v. Cupp (1969). Also, the police are trained on how to interrogate you and while it may see like you aren’t incriminating yourself you probably are.

But I am innocent, I didn’t do anything wrong, so it’s ok for me to talk to the police right?

Wrong. DO NOT TALK to the police without an attorney, ever. Ask for an attorney.

What if I can’t afford an attorney?

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) made it mandatory for indigent defendants to get a court appointed attorney. Here in far west Texas (Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio Counties) Far West Texas Regional Public Defender (FWTXRPD) is the agency that generally gets those appointments.

How do I apply for court appointed counsel?

Click “Apply for Counsel” at the top of this page, choose the right county, and a link will take you to the courts web page. Then follow the instructions on the courts page to request court appointed counsel.

I heard public defenders aren’t real attorneys?

You heard wrong.

Can I hire you or one of you to represent me on a case?

No.

If I pay you will you work harder on my case?

No. You cannot pay a court appointed attorney. The FWTXRPD office and the attorneys in that office will work tirelessly for you and will not take payment from you.