SECTION 174.18. Minimum Attorney Qualifications

The contract shall specify minimum qualifications for attorneys covered by the contract and require such attorneys to maintain the qualifications during the term of the contract. The qualifications shall equal or exceed the qualifications provided in the indigent defense procedures adopted pursuant to Article 26.04, Code of Criminal Procedure. If the contract does not exclude capital cases in which the death penalty is sought, the qualifications shall equal or exceed the minimum attorney qualifications set by the regional selection committee and the attorneys covered by the contract shall be required to be on the list of attorneys approved by the regional selection committee to represent clients in capital cases. If a contract covers services provided by more than one attorney, qualifications may be graduated according to the seriousness of offense and each attorney shall be required to meet and maintain only those qualifications established for the offense level(s) for which the attorney is approved to provide defense services.

Source Note: The provisions of this §174.18 adopted to be effective January 1, 2007, 31 TexReg 10094