Texas Department of Criminal Justice
(Created 1999; Mandate: Sections 841.005 and 841.144, HEALTH & SAFETY CODE)
This section represents indigent persons subject to a court proceeding under the Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) civil commitment statute. The following services are provided:
Civil Trial Services - Civil trial attorneys, with the assistance of legal assistants and professional investigators, file pleadings, interview witnesses, conduct discovery and try SVP civil commitment cases filed against indigent respondents.
Civil Appeals - Appellate attorneys review the court records and transcripts of SVP civil commitment trials to determine whether the judge committed reversible error. Under appropriate circumstances, the attorneys file post trial motions and Appellate briefs on behalf of those indigent persons civilly committed under the SVP statute.
Post Trial Reviews - In preparation for modification hearings and biennial review hearings, attorneys review the files of and prepare appropriate defenses for those persons already civilly committed under the SVP statute.