Either community service is required for your case or I think it will help with your case.

In addition to the obvious reason that community service benefits our Austin community – the prosecutors assume that during the time you are doing this work, you will reflect on the situation that got you into trouble. The prosecutors hope this will reduce the chances that you get in trouble again.

We usually recommend between 20-30 hours. If you end up on probation (community supervision) at the conclusion of your case, any community service you did during this time will count towards your total requirement.

It does not need to be on a special form. Any document that is signed by the non-profit that notates the time and dates of the community service will work. Ideally the document will be on the letterhead of the non-profit. Most importantly, it needs to include contact information for someone at the organization who can verify the community service.

As a last resort, yes. However some people fake community service documents, so the prosecutors are suspicious of any document that doesn’t look official. If you do use regular paper, be sure to include contact information for someone at the organization that can verify your community service.

Sure. Here you go.

You can do it for any non-profit / non-religious organization. You can even get 5 hours of credit for donating blood!

It doesn’t have to be bad. We suggest that you look at this as an opportunity to do something new. There are a lot of organizations in Austin that do unique and interesting things. Find something interesting and the time will fly by. We’ve had clients make great friends and even get hired for jobs at non-profits.

Here is a list by the City of Austin. The first place listed, the Austin Downtown Community Court (DACC), says they will give double hours!

Check out this VOLUNTEERMATCH.COM website. It makes finding a place easy. Or GivePulse.com.

Here is a list of a few local organizations that we like:

Austin Creative Reuse: They keep usable artistic materials out of the landfill; Many of my clients enjoy this organization. Great for artists!

Central Texas Food Bank: They have many volunteer opportunities - Mobile Food Pantry, Kitchen, Warehouse. All for a great cause. They even have a webpage specifically for court required community service.

Inside Books Project: Open letters from inmates. Select books to best fit the request. Make packages of books to send back to each inmate. Check out this VIDEO about Inside Books Project. 3106 East 14 & 1/2 Street, Austin, TX 78702. (512) 655-3121

Austin Yellow Bike Project: A volunteer-powered initiative to put bicycles on the streets of Austin and Central Texas by operating community bike shops, teaching bike mechanics and maintenance and acting as a local bike advocacy group. Opportunities include repairing bicycles, cleaning and organizing the shop, planning and promoting special events, coordinating community partnerships, answering e-mails, ordering tools and helping with the YBP website. 1216 Webberville Rd., Austin, TX 78721. (512) 524-5299

LBJ Wildflower Center: Positions available in the gift store, leading public tours, and helping with family events. Note: If you have a theft charge, this community service is not available. 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739. (512) 232-0020

Casa Marianella: Emergency shelter and training center for immigrants seeking asylum. Volunteer opportunities include cooking daily meals, helping with house repairs, playing in the Sunday band, helping residents with job and apartment applications, and organizing donation drives. Organization is also open to other volunteer ideas. 821 Gunter Street, Austin, TX 78702. (512) 385-5571

Habitat for Humanity: Assist in construction of Habitat for Humanity homes. All skill levels welcome. (512) 472-8788 x100

Urban Roots: A youth development organization that uses food and farming to transform the lives of young people and engage and nourish the community. Volunteer opportunities include assisting with farm chores, planting and harvesting crops, and utilizing specialized skills to serve as farm consultants. Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-11:30am and select Saturdays (Note: If you have an assault charge, this community service is not available. 2921 East 17th Street, Austin, TX 78702. (512) 750-8019

Keep Austin Beautiful: Help keep Austin clean by cleaning Lady Bird Lake and local creeks. 55 N. IH-35 Frontage Rd #215, Austin, TX 78702. (512) 391-0617