Tag Archives: public defender

Is the county’s public defender proposal good enough?

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This op-ed by Charlie Baird, judge of the 299th District Court in Travis County, and William Sessions, former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, suggest that the start-up public defender’s office that Commissioners … Continue reading →

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Public defender office gets OK from Commissioners Court

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to start a public defender office on an experimental basis, as long as the state covers the $4.4 million cost for the first year. The unanimous vote authorizes the county to apply … Continue reading →

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Another step forward for a public defender’s office

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not sure exactly what this entails, but it’s good to see progress. Harris County plans to launch a limited public defender office in October if it receives a $4.4 million state grant. The office would start with 30 people … Continue reading →

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Yes, Your Honor, we do need a public defender’s office

Posted on October 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I really don’t understand the argument against at this point. More than 100 private attorneys were assigned by judges to represent inmates who could not afford a lawyer in felony cases in 2008. Sixty of them received more than $100,000. … Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court approves public defenders plan

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The “hybrid” public defenders office that Commissioners Court had been considering was approved Tuesday by a 5-0 vote, though the details still need to be worked out in time for the February 2010 budget meeting. “It’s going to take however … Continue reading →

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The county’s proposal for a public defender’s office

Posted on September 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Next week, a proposal for a “hybrid” public defender’s office will be presented to Harris County Commissioners Court. It is considered a hybrid because it would allow courts to use both public defenders and private attorneys. For example, two of … Continue reading →

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In support of a public defender’s office in Harris County

Posted on September 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Criminal Justice Coalition has sent a letter to County Judge Ed Emmett and Harris County Commissioners Court in support of establishing a public defender’s office in Harris County. You can read the letter here. The Court approved a study … Continue reading →

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