Is the City Attorney's office able to help me resolve a property dispute with my neighbor?
Not usually. The city attorney represents only the city, its city council and staff members. Unless city property interests are integral to the neighborhood dispute, private legal counsel should be consulted.
Is the city attorney's office able to resolve customer dissatisfaction or consumer protection complaints?
No. The city attorney has no authority or jurisdiction over such matters. The Office of the Attorney General of Texas has a consumer protection division with a Dallas office.
I can't afford an attorney, but I need help with a legal matter. Can I get assistance from the City Attorney?
The City Attorney represents only the City Council and staff of the City of Denison and therefore the city attorney is not available to represent private persons or entities. Legal Services of North Texas provides legal services and representation to individuals on a "need" basis, dependent upon certain criteria based in part upon the client's personal income. Legal Services of North Texas may be contacted by telephone by dialing
(903) 868-4800.
How do I file a claim against the City of Denison?
If you believe you have a claim against the city, the City Charter requires that you provide written notice to the City within thirty (30) days of the event giving rise to the claim by identifying the nature and extent of the claim and stating the dollar amount claimed. The charter provision covering claims against the City and a claim form are available by clicking the following link:
claim form.
How do I obtain a copy of a public document generated or record kept by the City of Denison?
As a general rule, documents generated and records kept by the city are public records and available upon request. The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) provides several exceptions to the general rule. Begin by clicking the link for a Request for Public Information Form which, when fully completed, should be filed with the City Clerk. If the document requested is subject to being disclosed and thus available to the public, the city will provide your copy promptly. Be as specific as possible concerning the document or type of document you are seeking. TPIA does not require the city to generate information in a format other than in the format in which the document is originally generated. Note should be made that TPIA allows the city to charge a fee for time and copying expense for voluminous production of public records. The city has the obligation to identify the expense in such instances prior to your incurring the obligation to pay the expense. If the city believes the documents requested are exempted by law from disclosure, it is the city's obligation to seek verification of the exemption from the Office of the Attorney General of Texas and you will be notified that the city has requested the verification. Questions concerning requests for public records may be directed to the City Clerk, Julie Lollar, at jlollar@cityofdenison.com.
Is it appropriate for me to contact the city attorney if I have a case pending in municipal court?
Yes. Since the city attorney is the prosecutor in the Denison Municipal Court, complainants, witnesses and defendants may contact the city attorney's office on matters pending with the Municipal Court. However, defendants that are represented by legal counsel should make the contact through his/her attorney, since it is inappropriate and unethical for the city attorney to communicate directly with the defendant if he/she is represented by counsel. It is inappropriate to contact the Judge of the Municipal Court outside of the Municipal Court's regular business hours. If you have any question about the pending trial, the availability of witnesses or any matter pertinent to the matter, you may contact the City Attorney's office in person, by telephone, through U.S. Postal Service or by email at:
takins@cityofdenison.com or jamoon@cityofdenison.com.
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