The Texas A&M University Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) is proud to spotlight a transformative project in partnership with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC), a multiyear initiative to modernize the state’s indigent defense data systems. This effort is not only reshaping how counties report judicial plans and expenditures but also providing invaluable real-world experience to Texas A&M students. 

Reimagining Justice: A Digital Transformation 

After successfully completing the first reporting year for the Indigent Defense Expenditure Report, TIDC turned its attention to updating the reporting portal for Indigent Defense Plans (ID Plans). These plans, submitted annually by local judges, outline countywide policies for magistration, indigence determination, attorney qualifications, appointment of counsel, and fee schedules along with updating reports and other data collection methods. With multiple plans per county covering adult criminal, juvenile delinquency, and family protection representation across various court levels, the complexity of this system demands robust technological solutions. 

 Learn more about this initiative in the PPRI Portfolio.

Students at the Helm: A Teaching Hospital Approach 

Much like a teaching hospital, PPRI integrates student workers into high-impact projects, offering hands-on experience while advancing public service goals. Four talented students are currently playing a pivotal role in this initiative: 

• Rhea Sudheer – Graduate Student, Student Research Assistant 
• Kanishk Chhabra – Graduate Student, Student Research Assistant 
• Will Wang – Undergraduate Student, Student Research Assistant 
• Kevin Zhang – Undergraduate Student, Student Research Assistant 

This team of students manages responsibilities that have evolved alongside the project, encompassing report creation, user interface updates, module development, bug troubleshooting, and rigorous website testing. 

“Working on TIDC’s project turned my coursework into a real public service impact. I moved from class projects to production systems, where I designed database views and reports, built queue-based and fallback workflows, and added logging and retries to keep things reliable.’ Said, Kanishk Chhabra. 

The team translates client outlines, often provided by attorneys, into actionable developer frameworks, bridging the gap between legal requirements and technical implementation. 

Beyond Code: Why Their Work Matters 

This project is a massive undertaking, far exceeding the capacity of two full-time developers alone. The students’ contributions have accelerated progress, ensuring that the website serves as a dynamic, user-friendly resource for county officials, state agencies, attorneys, and journalists across Texas. Their work is not theoretical. It directly impacts the administration of justice for thousands of Texans. 

From Classroom to Courtroom: Real-World Impact 

By working on an adaptive website that can evolve alongside developing client needs, these students gain practical skills that make them highly marketable in today’s competitive job market. Their experience demonstrates the power of experiential learning and underscores PPRI’s commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals while advancing public policy innovation.