CAFA, or Counsel at First Appearance, is a Travis County initiative to provide legal counsel at magistration. During magistration, a judge reviews the charges, advises the individual of their rights, and determines bond and release conditions. CAFA provides early access to counsel, allowing attorneys to meet with clients beforehand, explain the magistration process, advocate in court, and connect individuals to support services when needed. This approach promotes fairness, transparency, and efficient case processing across the justice system.
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Understanding Counsel at First Appearance
Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) ensures individuals have legal representation before magistration. Attorneys meet with clients beforehand, explain the process, advocate in court, and connect individuals to services when needed.
Through the CAFA program, Travis County is working to provide all individuals legal counsel at magistration.
Magistration is the first time a detained individual appears before a judge following a new charge. During this proceeding, the judge reads the person their rights, asks whether they would like an attorney appointed, and makes an initial decision regarding release on bond and any associated conditions.
Benefits of CAFA
Explore the key ways early legal representation benefits both individuals and the justice system.
Early Legal Representation
An attorney meets with the individual before magistration and appears at the hearing, helping protect rights from the very start.
Fair & Transparent Process
Defense can address probable cause and recommend appropriate bail and conditions in open court, promoting fairness and accountability.
Informed Decision-Making
Clients learn their rights, the magistration steps, and what to expect next, reducing confusion and anxiety at a stressful moment.
Access to Support Services
When appropriate, attorneys help connect clients to mental health care, housing, transportation, or other community resources that stabilize lives.
System Efficiency
Early counsel streamlines hearings, focuses issues, and can reduce unnecessary delays, benefiting courts, counsel, and clients.
Confidential Client Meeting
Private attorney-client conversations before court allow fact-gathering, questions, and preparation, leading to better advocacy at magistration.
Staff and Magistrates
Counsel at First Appearance hearings are overseen by Travis County Criminal Magistrates. These magistrates are responsible for presiding over the first appearance process, including reading rights, setting bond conditions, and hearing arguments from counsel and prosecutors.
Learn more about Criminal Magistrates.
Related Documents and Resources
Review key reports, presentations, and informational materials related to the CAFA program. These resources offer additional context about magistration, defense services, and Travis County’s justice initiatives.
| Title of Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Community Presentation | A community presentation was delivered in June 2025, offering an overview of CAFA. The presentation addressed key questions: What is CAFA? What are its goals? And how does it impact the community? The presentation’s goal was to inform stakeholders about CAFA’s purpose, progress, and benefits, fostering transparency and engagement throughout its implementation. |
| CAFA Milestones | This infographic presents a timeline of key milestones, offering a comprehensive overview of CAFA’s development and history from October 2023 through October 2025. |
| CAFA One Pager | This infographic offers an overview of CAFA, outlining its purpose, progress, and impact. It features a high-level roadmap highlighting key milestones – from the 2024 pilot launch to full implementation in February 2025. The infographic also presents core metrics demonstrating CAFA’s effectiveness, along with lessons learned and next steps for continued improvement. |
