The Texas Fair Defense Act of 2001 requires all Texas courts to establish procedures to provide court-appointed lawyers to indigent defendants. This legislation also established the Task Force on Indigent Defense, now the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC or Commission) to oversee indigent defense services and provide state grants to counties. Half of all criminal … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Indigent Defense
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TIDC Funds Public Defense Improvement
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) awarded more than $5 million in Improvement Grants to establish regional public defender offices serving nine counties, create specialized defender programs to help defendants with mental illness, and streamline attorney appointments. “This regional collaboration grant is a game-changer for our five Hill Country counties,” said … [Read more...] about TIDC Funds Public Defense Improvement
Communicating the Cost of County Government
Communicating the Cost of County Government Unfunded Mandates Survey Editor’s Note: This survey report was released last year as a communication tool to help explain the cost of unfunded and underfunded mandates on property taxpayers. In the coming months, counties will be contacted and survey data will be updated in preparation for the 86th Session of the Texas Legislature, … [Read more...] about Communicating the Cost of County Government
Wichita County Indigent Defense Costs Rise 202 Percent Since 2001
By Claire Kowalick Times Record News The Fair Defense Act of 2001 provided substantial improvement to the indigent defense system in Texas, but a vast majority of mandated expenses continue to fall on individual counties. Data from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) shows that in the past 15 years, indigent defense spending in Wichita County – the money to … [Read more...] about Wichita County Indigent Defense Costs Rise 202 Percent Since 2001
Indigent Defense Commission Publishes Veterans Defender Resource
The 81st Texas Legislature authorized counties to establish a Veterans Court, and those interested in creating such a court now have a thorough resource guide. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (the Commission) has published the Veterans Defender Resource for county and court officials who are interested in the establishment of a new Veterans Court or enhancing their … [Read more...] about Indigent Defense Commission Publishes Veterans Defender Resource