Criminal defendants have a Sixth Amendment right to counsel and that right is guaranteed regardless of the defendant's ability to pay. Welcome to our county's first-ever Managed Assigned Counsel (MAC) Program!We are honored, humbled, and hopeful for the opportunity to serve you. To discuss your case in a confidential consultation, please contact us at 713-224-1747. Tell the magistrate you want to request a courtappointed lawyer, and ask to fill out a written application for appointment of counsel. The University of Houston Law Center has eight clinics, ranging from mediation to criminal defense. To get more information, call 713-743-2094. The Sixth Amendment's right to effective assistance attaches directly to the fidelity and competence of defense counsel's services. You will need to ask the court to appoint one for you. The Judges of the District Courts Trying Criminal Cases adopt the following plan as the alternative plan for appointing counsel for indigent defendants.