In 2001, more than $1 million was raised to support civil legal services to the poor through this voluntary contribution. After exemptions are considered, the new mandatory $65 fee will raise approximately $3.5 million, which will be remitted to the Comptroller and credited 50 percent to the judicial fund for programs approved by the Supreme Court that provide basic civil legal services to the poor, and 50 percent to the fair defense account in the general revenue fund that supports demonstration or pilot projects that develop and promote best practices for the efficient delivery of quality representation to indigent defendants in criminal cases. If not re-enacted, this $65 fee will expire after a trial period of four years.
Through its grant application process, the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation will administer the 50 percent of the funds dedicated to civil legal services to the poor. The Task Force on Indigent Defense will administer the other half of the funds for indigent criminal defense projects.
Legal
Services Fee and Voluntary ATJ Contribution Frequently Asked Questions (pdf
format)