BEXAR COUNTY INDIGENT
DEFENSE SYSTEM EVALUATION

2018-2020

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The main objective of the report is to evaluate representation for indigent defendants by examining process and procedures associated with Bexar County’s Court Appointed Counsel system. Quantitative and qualitative analysis were conducted to analyze measurable metrics to determine the quality of service and representation (in the county and relative to regional and national standards), compare representation across different providers, and to examine judicial evaluation.

MAIN FINDINGS

The report that Bexar County indigent defense services would benefit from informing attorneys about how the different specialty courts function, employing an indigent defense coordinator to assist defendants with the appointment process, and implementing a managed assigned counsel (MAC) program in conjunction with the current public defender’s office.

FUTURE STEPS

In response to the report’s suggestion to create a managed assigned counsel (MAC) program, Bexar county create a new manager position to take on this task. To learn more, read the article here.

SPONSORS

Bexar County logo

DOWNLOADABLE MATERIALS

APPROACH

  • Data Analysis

  • Qualitative Research

  • Survey Research

RESEARCH TEAM

  • Georges Naufal, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator)

  • Trey Marchbanks, Ph.D. (Co-Principal Investigator)

  • Heather Caspers

  • Bethany Patterson

  • Kristina Waller