Legal Services and Other Advocacy in Texas:

2006 Referral Directory for Low-income Texans

Published by Texas Lawyers Care,
a department of the State Bar of Texas

 

 

Many thanks to the Legal Research Board of The University of Texas School of Law for their invaluable assistance on this project (www.Legalresearchboard.com), especially Ursula Mann, the Director of Communications, for her generous contribution of time and effort, and her husband, Philip Mann, for his computer expertise and ingenuity.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

For free legal information online, visit http://www.texaslawhelp.org/.

 

Introduction......................................................................................................................................................

Statewide Legal Assistantce.............................................................................................................................

Government Agency Information and Other Assistance  ......................................................................................

 

Lawyer Referral Services - Full Fee and Reduced Fee................................................................
Legal Resources for Juvenile Offenders......................................................................................................
Legal Resources for Criminal Defendants.................................................................................................
Legal Resources Related to Inmates of Prisons & Jails............................................................................

County Listings...........................................................................................................................................

 

Introduction
Access to Free Legal Services

Legal assistance is often a critical need. Unfortunately, access to legal services is not readily available to many people, particularly those without financial resources. This directory will help lower income Texans identify free or low cost legal services or assistance available to them.

The federal government, through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), funds legal services programs that serve every county in Texas. Funding for legal services programs is extremely limited. Programs must turn away many with serious legal needs because of their limited resources.

All of the LSC programs and most other programs included in this directory have income guidelines and must refuse service to any applicant whose income is above those guidelines. To learn more about LSC regulations, see http://www.lsc.gov/pressr/pr_lscr.htm. More than 50% of the LSC cases are in the family law area. It is not uncommon for such programs to limit their family law services to victims of physical domestic violence. These programs do not handle immigration cases except for representation of immigrant spouses seeking help through VAWA (battered spouse) petitions. These programs do not handle any criminal cases.

There are also many pro bono programs around the state. Pro bono programs use private attorneys who volunteer to take cases for people who cannot afford to pay. Many, but not all, pro bono programs use the same income guidelines as do the LSC programs. Pro bono programs, like staff programs, have limited resources with which to meet the legal needs of the poor in the community and must turn away many with legal needs.

In addition to the LSC and pro bono programs, there are a variety of other non-profit providers of free or reduced fee legal assistance, which are listed throughout this guide. Some serve particular populations, such as people with disabilities, children, or older people. Other programs offer services in certain areas of the law, such as civil rights, consumer, housing, and immigration, and may or may not have income restrictions.

Contact local programs to determine how to access their services. These programs are listed by county or with the list of programs serving all counties, or in separate listing related to special populations. Because the LSC programs provide the most extensive services, they are listed first under each county.

Lawyer Referral Services - Full Fee and Reduced Fee

Most urban communities have a local lawyer referral service operated by the local bar association to assist clients in finding attorneys who, for a fee, provide the kind of services needed. The State Bar of Texas operates a lawyer referral hotline for areas of the state not covered by a local lawyer referral service. A list of all the lawyer referral services in Texas is included in this publication. Lawyer referral services enroll any licensed attorney who pays the necessary registration fee and meets basic guidelines. Clients who are referred to an attorney by a lawyer referral service receive 30 minutes of consultation for $20. Any service provided beyond the 30 minute consultation must be negotiated between the client and the attorney and may be on full fee basis.

To request copies of this publication, please contact:

Texas Lawyers Care
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, Texas 78711-2487
800-204-2222 ext. 2155 or
512-463-1463 ext. 2155
tlcmail@texasbar.com

 

Advocacy, Inc.

800-252-9108 (Main Office)

www.advocacyinc.org

Disability-related issues, including access and discrimination

12:30 pm - 5 pm, M-F

 

AIDS Legal Resource Project Legal Line (Texas Human Rights Foundation)

800-828-6417

www.thrf.org

Advice and referral for persons with AIDS/HIV. Also provides assistance to persons facing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identification or HIV status.

 

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU)

512-478-7309 (Austin)

713-942-8146 (Houston)

www.aclutx.org

214-696-3145 (Dallas)

210-226-8707 (San Antonio)

Information and assistance with civil liberty issues

 

Appellate Section Access to Justice Committee, State Bar of Texas

214-855-3036 (Dallas)

Jeff Levinger, Chairperson

200 Crescent Ct., Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201-1848

Civil appellate pro bono representation committees: Local bar organizations also may have pro bono appellate committees.

 

GANO/CARECEN Central American Refugee Center

Houston

713-665-1284 (Houston)

Immigration services: adjustment of status, naturalization, family petitions, temporary protected status. No business or employment related matters.

 

Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law of Texas

San Antonio: 210-736-1503

Dallas: 214-943-6465

Civil rights violations, some immigration issues

 

Jane's Due Process

Austin

866-999-5263 (24 hr Hotline)

www.janesdueprocess.org

info@janesdueprocess.org

Non-profit information and advocacy center helping pregnant teenagers seek legal relief for their reproductive choices - provides specific assistance for Judicial Bypass proceedings, Title IX violations, and Emancipation information.

 

Justice for Children

713-225-4357 (Houston)

www.jfcadvocacy.org

Child custody cases involving documented child abuse

 

Legal Hotline for Texans, Texas Legal Services Center

800-622-2520

512-477-3950 (Austin)

www.tlsc.org

Advice & referrals for Texans age 60 and over, and Medicare beneficiaries of any age

9 am - 5 pm , M-F

 

Men and Fathers Resource Center

512-472-3237 (Austin)

www.fathers.org

dads@fathers.org

Membership organization with $100 annual dues; membership includes free consultations with attorneys, lowcost preparation of pleadings, assisted pro se clinic and referrals to fee-for-service attorneys, crisis assistance, information and referrals for noncustodial parents on issues relating to child support, visitation and parenting. The Center also houses a local chapter of Texas Fathers for Equal Rights.

 

Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF)

210-224-5476 (San Antonio)

www.maldef.org

Racial discrimination, employment discrimination, voting, immigration concerns and other civil rights cases

 

Nursing Home Advocacy Project, Texas Legal Services Center

888-343-4414

www.tlsc.org/NHAP.html

nhap@tlsc.org

Neglect/abuse in nursing homes: advice and reduced cost legal referral

 

Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)

210-226-7722 (San Antonio)

Immigration including asylum, voluntary departure, cancellations; free or low-cost. This program serves the San Antonio USCIS district only, which includes a large number of Texas counties.

 

 

GOVERNMENT AGENCY INFORMATION AND OTHER ASSISTANCE

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT INFORMATION

Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Texas Commission

800-832-9623, TDD-TTY: 800-735-2980

www.tcda.state.tx.us

contact@tcada.state.tx.us

Provides information on chemical dependency treatment facilities, licensed chemical dependency counselors, funding for client services, offender education programs, abuse/neglect of children and elders, community education, investigation of complaints alleging violation of Commission statute or rules, mediation services, ombudsman services, and general information

CHILD AND ELDER ABUSE

Abuse & Neglect, Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services (TDPRS)

800-252-5400 (Austin) (Abuse/Neglect Hotline)

800-647-7418 (Abuse in MHMR facilities)

www.tdprs.state.tx.us

Intakes 24 hours a day of complaints relating to abuse (of children, the disabled, elders and adults subject to exploitation), and referral for investigation by local TDPRS office

 

Abuse or Neglect in Long Term Care Facilities, Texas Department of Health (TDH)

800-228-1570 (Health facility compliance)

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/

Abuse/neglect of children or elders in licensed heath care facilities, investigation of complaints against facilities or persons licensed by TDH, community education on health care, individualized advice, mailing of forms-documents and referral services

 

Ombudsman Services, Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services (TDPRS)

800-720-7777 (Austin)

http://www.tdprs.state.tx.us/

Receives complaints from the public, persons being investigated, and others relating to open abuse investigations

 

CHILD SUPPORT

Child Support – Office of the Attorney General Information Line

800-252-8014 (Spanish/English)

TDD-TTY: 512-460-6417 or 800-572-2686

http://www.oag.state.tx.us

Provides information 24 hours a day on child support establishment and enforcement services provided by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, also assists in establishing paternity

 

Child Support – Office of the Attorney General Employer New Hire Reporting Program

888-839-4473

http://www.newhire.org/tx

Receives new hire information from employers and tracks employment information on child support obligors

 

Child Support – Office of the Attorney General Voice Information Response System (VIRS)

800-252-8014

http://childsupport.oag.state.tx.us

Custodial parents can call this 24-hour Hotline to receive automated information. Must have a customer identification number (CIN) to receive payment and case status and other information

 

CONSUMER

Consumer Helpline, Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner

800-538-1579 or 512-936-7600 (Austin)

http://www.occc.state.tx.us

Consumer and debtor-creditor problems. Assistance provided includes community education, general information, and self-help materials

Consumer Complaints, Office of the Attorney General of Texas

800-621-0508

http://www.oag.state.tx.us

Provides referral and information for persons with a consumer complaint, may file suits in the public interest but will not provide individual representation

 

Consumer Credit Counseling

Dallas

800-249-2227 (Dallas) www.cccs.net

800-873-2227 (Houston) www.cccsintl.org

877-854-2227 (South Texas) www.cccsstx.org

800-747-4222 (Ft.Worth) www.cccsfw.com

800-856-0257 (North Central Texas) www.cccsnct.org

Offers counseling and provides programs associated with secured debt, taxes, mortgages, HUD, auto, IRS, student loans, and low-income housing; no fees for counseling or to start a Debt Management Program (DMP). Fees charged for some services

 

Transportation, Texas Department of (TxDOT)

800-558-9368 or 800-622-8682

TDD-TTY: 512-416-2977 (Austin)

www.dot.state.tx.us (click on consumer protection)

Provides assistance to applicants, contractors, consumers and citizens affected by TxDOT agency action. Assistance provided includes contractor discrimination complaints, investigation and complaint resolution services and mediation. To get a copy of the Texas Lemon Law (used vehicle complaints), a handbook explaining the law, or to pursue a complaint, please contact the Texas Department of Transportation at 800-622-8682 or 512-416-4800 (Austin), or write to: Motor Vehicle Division, Texas Department of Transportation, Consumer Affairs Section, P.O. Box 2293, Austin, Texas 78768

 

CRIME VICTIMS

Crime Victim Clearinghouse

800-848-4284 (7:30 am - 5:30 pm)

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/

Provides victims of violent crime, close relatives of a deceased victim, guardians of a victim and concerned citizens with general information, assistance filling out forms, individual advocacy, self-help materials, and a library where victims can check out helpful books; also provides crime victims who register for notification with the Automated Victim Notification System (AVNS) number. AVNS is toll-free and 24-hour access, providing status information on incarcerated offenders

 

Crime Victims' Compensation Program, Office of the Attorney General of Texas

800-983-9933, TDD-TTY: 512-475-4410

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/

Pays crime-related cost for victims and/or their families that are not covered by insurance or other sources

 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

For a city-by-city list of domestic violence shelters and crisis numbers, see http://www.dhs.state.tx.us/programs/familyviolence/shelters.html

Texas Council on Family Violence

800-525-1978

Referral information to local programs

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

TDD-TTY: 800-787-3224

 

GRIEVANCES AGAINST ATTORNEYS, JUDGES & MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Attorney Grievance Information/Client Attorney

Assistance Program, State Bar of Texas

800-932-1900

Investigates complaints against attorneys

 

Barratry Hotline, State Bar of Texas

877-953-5535 x 106 or www.texasbar.com

Investigates complaints against attorneys accused of unlawfully soliciting business

 

Judges, Commission on Judicial Conduct

512-463-5533 (Austin)

877-228-5750

www.scjc.state.tx.us

P.O. Box 12265, Austin TX 78711

Investigates grievances against judges

 

Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of

Physician Assistant, Texas State Board of

Acupuncture, Texas State Board of

Complaint Hotline: 800-201-9353

www.tsbme.state.tx.us

Processing of complaints against physicians, physician assistants, and acupunctuists on behalf of public, not individuals

 

Texas Optometry Board

800-821-3205 or www.tob.state.tx.us

Records name and address of persons requesting mailing of a complaint form against optometrists

HEALTH

Texas Workers' Compensation Commission

800-252-7031 or 515-804-4100 or http://www.twcc.state.tx.us/

Investigates workplace safety, provides benefits for employees injured at work

 

Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Texas Department of (MHMR)

800-252-8154 or 512-206-5760

http://www.mhmr.state.tx.us/

Provides assistance to consumers of mental health-mental retardation services, including information on access and rights, individualized advocacy, individualized advice, ombudsman services, referral and self-help materials

HOUSING

Austin Tenants’ Council

512-474-1961 (Austin)

www.housing-rights.org

Landlord/tenant information online

M-F, 9am-12 and 1-4pm

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs

512-475-3800 or TDD-TTY: 512-463-3323 or http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/

Provides low-interest housing loans, emergency assistance weatherization assistance, assistance and other assistance through five regional offices. Also assist with colonias.

The manufactured housing division regional offices:

Austin 1-800-500-7074 or 512-475-2200

Dallas/Ft.Worth 1-877-724-5670

Edinburg 1-877-724-5672

Houston 1-877-724-5674

Lubbock 1-877-724-5676

San Antonio 1-877-724-5678

Tyler 1-877-724-5679

Waco 1-877-724-5680

 

Texas Low Income Housing Service

www.texashousing.org

Provides online information on public housing, tenants’rights, colonias, and the Housing Counselor helps locate affordable housing in Texas

 

Texas Tenants Advisor

214-823-2733 (Dallas)

www.texastenant.org

Detailed information online concerning landlord/tenant statutes in Texas and a directory of subsidized housing

 

IMMIGRATION

 

USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS))

800-375-5283 National Customer Service Center

www.uscis.gov

Federal agency dealing with immigration issues

See also the county-by-county listings for LSC-funded programs and other programs which are able to accept VAWA petition cases for battered spouses; most of the non-LSC programs charge a small fee or request donations for services

INSURANCE

Insurance, Texas Department of

800-252-3439 or 512-6515 (Consumer information)

800-599-SHOP (Publications/Complaint Form)

TDD-TTY: 512-322-4238

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/

Assistance with insurance complaints resolution, fraud crime victims, consumer discrimination, insurance discrimination, health care insurance, workers compensation. Assistance provided includes community education, general information, individualized advice, pre-recorded information, referral and self-help materials

 

Public Insurance Counsel, Office of the

512-322-4143 (Austin)

http://www.opic.state.tx.us/

Information and referral for insurance consumers

 

CHIP (Childrens Health Insurance Program)

800-647-6558

http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/chip/

A federally funded program to provide affordable health care for kids

 

OLDER TEXANS

Texas Department on Aging

800-252-9240

www.tdoa.state.tx.us

Referral to local Area Agency on Aging offices; see also county listings

 

PUBLIC BENEFITS

 

Texas Department of Human Services

888-834-7406 or http://www.dhs.state.tx.us/

DHS is responsible for state and federal programs that provide financial assistance to low income families and children, people who are elderly or have disabilities, refugees and victims of family violence

 

Inquiry Hotline, Texas Department of Human Services

800-448-3927

Provides information on pending applications for Food Stamps, TANF/AFDC, CHIP & Lone Star cards

 

Social Security Administration

800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov

Provides benefits for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and survivors

 

 

VETERANS

Texas Veterans Commission

512-463-5538 (Austin) or 800-252-VETS (8387)

http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/

info@tvc.state.tx.us

Veterans benefits and claims assistance including General information, filling out forms, individualized advocacy-representation, mailing of forms and documents, and referral

OTHER
 

Office of the Secretary of State

512-463-5555 or http://www.sos.state.tx.us/

Telephone Solicitation 800-684-9642

Elections Division 800-252-8683

Information only regarding corporations, limited liability companies, trademarks, voting rights and telephone solicitations. Assistance provided includes pre-recorded information, self-help materials and copies of filed documents

 

The People’s Lawyer

http://www.peopleslawyer.net/

Prof. Richard Alderman of the University of Houston Law Center maintains a website with a variety of legal information for the public including consumer, tenants’ rights, small claims courts, and other issues

 

Public Utility Commission

888-782-8477 or http://www.puc.state.tx.us/

www.texasnocall.com

Provides assistance in filing complaints against public utility companies (telephone & electricity), “do not call” telemarketer lists, and low income energy assistance programs.

 

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

512-474-7190 (Austin)

http://www.taasa.org/victim_services

City by city list of service providers

 

LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICES - FULL FEE AND REDUCED FEE

 

State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service 800-252-9690

Currently serving all counties except the following: Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Jefferson, Nueces, Tarrant, and Travis

 

Local Lawyer Referral Services

 

Bexar County

San Antonio Bar Association ............................................................................................... 210-227-1853

 

Brazoria County

Houston Bar Association., low-fee panel........................................................ 800-289-4577 or 713-237-9429

 

Collin County

Plano Bar Association.......................................................................................................... 972-424-6113

 

Dallas County

Dallas Bar Association......................................................................................................... 214-220-7444

Criminal Defense Lawyers Association................................................................................... 214-747-0986

North Dallas Bar Association................................................................................................ 972-980-0472

 

El Paso County

El Paso Bar Association....................................................................................................... 915-532-7052

 

Harris County

Houston Bar Association...................................................................................................... 713-236-8000

Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association........................................................................... 713-227-2404

Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Inc. - Reduced Fee...................................... 800-289-4577 or 713-237-9429

 

Fort Bend County

Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Inc. - Reduced Fee...................................... 800-289-4577 or 713-237-9429

 

Galveston County

Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Inc. - Reduced Fee....................................... 800-289-4577 or 713-237-9429

 

Jefferson County

Jefferson County Bar Association........................................................................................... 409-835-8438

 

Montgomery County

Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Inc. - Reduced Fee....................................... 800-289-4577 or 713-237-9429

 

Nueces County

Corpus Christi Bar Association.............................................................................................. 361-883-3971

 

Tarrant County

Tarrant County Bar Association............................................................................................. 817-336-4101

Arlington Bar Association ......................................................................................................800-252-9690

 

Travis County

Travis County Bar Association ............................................................................................................512-472-8303

(MATCH Program - reduced fee panel for family law cases and MATCH-Estate - uncontested guardianships and wills; must ask for it by name)

See www.texasbar.com (“find a lawyer”)

If a juvenile is charged with a crime, it may be considered a civil matter and legal aid may be able to help (see first program listed for the county in which the juvenile is being charged). For example, the Dallas office of Legal Aid of Northwest Texas has a program called LAMP, Legal Assistance for Minors Program. For cases in Travis County, the juvenile public defender may be able to help. The office of the Travis County Juvenile Public Defender may be reached at 512-854-4128 (Austin).

 

Texas Youth Commission

www.tyc.state.tx.us

Complaints from the public regarding the operations of and services provided by the Texas Youth Commission (TAC) may be filed with the administrator of a TAC-operated facility or with

 

Youth Rights Administrator

www.tyc.state.tx.us

Texas Youth Commission
P.O. Box 4260
Austin TX 78765

 

LEGAL RESOURCES FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS

LEGAL RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS

Government Appointed Attorney: Non-Capital Criminal Cases

If a public defender office is available in the particular county (on page 9), indigent defendants should contact that office first. Otherwise, in matters that can result in a jail/prison sentence, the judge can appoint an attorney if s/he determines that the defendant is indigent. Many courts will not appoint an attorney unless the defendant is currently in jail. When the defendant appears before a judge, s/he should ask the judge to appoint an attorney to represent him/her. If the case is a Class C misdemeanor (no possible jail time as part of the sentence), there is no right to a court appointed lawyer.

 

University of Texas School of Law Criminal Defense Clinic

512-232-1300 (Austin)

Handles select misdemeanor cases in Travis County (does NOT handle domestic violence assault, theft by check, driving while license suspended, driving without insurance, and traffic tickets); $30 fee

 

SMU Dedman School of Law Criminal Justie Clinic

214-768-2562 (Dallas)

Handles Class A and B misdemeanor and some felony cases in Dallas County.

 

Capital Murder - To Request Appointed Counsel

The Defendant should file a motion (or write a letter) to the district court that convicted him/her requesting an appointed attorney on appeal and habeas corpus. If there is no response after a reasonable period of time, contact: Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Supreme Court Building, Austin, TX 78701

 

Capital Murder - Capital Punishment Clinic, UT School of Law

512-232-1098 (Austin)

The Project is an independent agency which represents defendants in capital murder cases on a limited basis

 

Capital Case Defense - Texas Defender Services

512-320-8300 (Austin)

713-222-7788 (Houston)

This project is an independent program providing assistance to attorneys who are handing defense in capital cases. They do not take calls from the public.

 

Mexican Nationals

Mexican Consulates provide some help for Mexican

Nationals who are in prison in the United States

Austin: 512-478-2866

Brownsville: 210-542-2151

Corpus Christi: 361-882-3373

Dallas: 214-630-7341

Del Rio: 830-775-2352

Eagle Pass: 830-773-9256

El Paso: 915-533-3644

Houston: 713-339-4701

Laredo: 956-723-6368

McAllen: 956-686-0234

Midland: 432-687-2334

San Antonio: 210-227-1085

 

 

Federal Public Defenders

(Federal Court, Texas (5th Circuit))

 

Eastern District

Beaumont: 409-839-2608

Tyler: 903-531-9233

 

Northern District

Dallas: 214-767-2746

Fort Worth: 817-334-2753

Lubbock: 806-743-7236

 

Southern District

Brownsville: 956-548-2573

Corpus Christi:

361-888-3532

Houston: 713-238-9600

Laredo: 956-523-4104

McAllen: 956-630-2995

 

Western District

Austin: 512-916-5025

Del Rio: 830-703-2040

El Paso: 915-534-6525

San Antonio: 210-472-6700

 

 

State Court Public Defenders

Colorado County Public Defender

979-732-9425 (Columbus)

Indigent criminal defense

 

Dallas County Public Defender

214-653-3550 (Dallas)

www.dallascounty.org/html/departments/pubdef.html

Indigent criminal defense

El Paso County Public Defender

915-546-8185 (El Paso)

www.co.el-paso.tx.us/pdefender

Indigent criminal defense

 

Travis County Juvenile Public Defender

512-854-4128 (Austin)

http://www.co.travis.tx.us/departments/juvenile_public_defender.htm

Juvenile offender defense

Webb County Public Defender

956-721-2220 (Laredo)

http://www.webbcounty.com/OtherDepartments/Public_Defender/public_defender.html

Indigent criminal defense

 

Wichita County Public Defender

940-766-8199 (Wichita Falls)

Indigent criminal defense

 

Prison Inmates

Innocence Network

Innocence@central.uh.edu

This project considers requests from inmates who have persuasive claims of actual innocence. To contact the program, write:

Professor David Dow

Director, Texas Innocence Network

UH Law Center

100 Law Center

Houston, TX 77204-6060

 

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) State

Counsel for Offenders

For complete information, see

www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stcounsel/stcnsloff-home.htm

The sections of State Counsel for Offenders provide attorneys who are independent of the confinement divisions of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to help inmates with legal problems. Inmates wanting help with a legal problem should send an I-60 by truck mail to the proper section of State Counsel for Offenders Division that would help with the legal problem (see sections listed below). Mail may take longer to be processed if not properly addressed.

 

Inmates must contact State Counsel for Offenders

directly - the request for help cannot come from friends or family members. An inmate who has been served with legal papers should immediately send the legal papers with his/her request. The inmate's NAME and TDCJ ID # must be printed on the request. The sections of State Counsel for Offenders are:

State Counsel for Offenders--Legal Services

P.O. Box 4005

Huntsville, Texas 77342-4005

Provides assistance in administrative proceedings and defense of civil actions, including family law; nunc pro tunc actions to correct mistakes contained in judgments of conviction; pending charges and detainers; writs of habeas corpus; and may in some cases assist offenders in filing petitions of discretionary review of court of appeals decisions affirming their convictions (only if the office receives notice of the decision within 30 days of the date of the opinion), or may help the inmate file for an extension of time for a petition of discretionary review.

 

State Counsel for Offenders -- Trial Services

P.O. Box 4005

Huntsville, Texas 77342-4005

Represents indigent offenders indicted for felonies allegedly committed while the offender is incarcerated within TDCJ-ID.

 

State Counsel for Offenders --Appellate Services

P.O. Box 4005

Huntsville, Texas 77342-4005

Assists indigent offenders in appeals in cases of Trial Services convictions; administrative appeals from decisions denying Social Security benefits to families, as well as aiding with military upgrades; and assistance with appellate writs of habeas corpus. Legal Assistant Services investigates claims of jail time not being credited and provides information or assistance regarding flat time, good time, educational time and work time credit.

 

State Counsel for Offenders -- Immigration Services

P.O. Box 4005

Huntsville, Texas 77342-4007

Assists indigent offenders who are docketed to go before the Immigration Judge or answer any immigration question offender may have

 

Other TDCJ Programs/Services for Inmates:

Access to Courts

P.O. Box 99

Huntsville, Texas 77342-0099

Administers law libraries in the prison units

 

TCDJ & Texas Workforce Commission Project Rio

For additional information, call 1-800-453-8140 or contact:

Texas Workforce Commission

Project Rio Program, Room 526T

101 East 15th Street

Austin TX 78778

Job search & employment assistance for ex-offenders

 

TDCJ Internal Affairs

PO Box 4003, Huntsville, Texas 77342

 

 

 

LEGAL RESOURCES RELATED TO INMATES OF PRISONS & JAILS

 

County Jail Inmates and Out-of-state Inmates of Texas Prisons

Any letters regarding conditions of the jail, as well as complaints regarding treatment in jail, can be forwarded to the address below. All TDCJ inmates must use the TDCJ system for filing complaints.

 

Texas Commission on Jail Standards

Inspector, Inmate Complaints

PO Box 12985, Austin 78711-2985

512-463-5505

www.tcjs.state.tx.us

 

Information/Assistance for Families of Inmates

Inmate Families Organization, Inc. (InFO, Inc.)

http://home.flash.net/~infoinc/

P.O. Box 788

Manchaca, Texas 78652

512-442-4637

Nonprofit organization for families of inmates. Membership is $24/year.

 

Texas Inmate Families Association (TIFA)

www.tifa.org