I am deeply appreciative to the staff of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for promptly responding to my office’s request for a thorough review of El Paso’s indigent defense system. The Commission’s findings support the concerns I raised over the inconsistent methods that were used to appoint defense attorneys, and the timeliness of those appointments. The report will help pave the way for historic reforms to our local criminal justice system.
The Commission’s findings provide the County with a unique opportunity to move forward by identifying solutions that will improve the level of coordination among the various offices involved in our criminal justice system. I strongly believe the findings further underscore the need for a County Pretrial Office that will improve collaboration among the Commissioners Court, the Judiciary, the District Attorney’s Office, and others to create more effective processes and procedures for individuals from the time they are booked in the jail to the time their case is disposed.
El Paso taxpayers are currently spending more per capita than all other taxpayers in the state to incarcerate individuals in our county jail. This is simply unsustainable, and we have an opportunity to implement meaningful reforms that can generate millions of dollars in annual savings.
TIDC Report Cover Letter
TIDC Final El Paso Report