Committee Chair
Co-Chairs: Commissioner Rodney Ellis & Commissioner Lesley Briones
Goal
Make Harris County Safer and More Just: Reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities in the legal system
Summary
This Committee focuses on the CJCC strategic plan objective of collectively developing and implementing reforms aimed at promoting equity:
- Assessing the capacity to provide expanded, high-quality defense capacity through the Public Defender’s Office & alternative options (e.g., managed assigned counsel program).
- Defining the parameters of a model indigent defense system following national best practices, including but not limited to elements such as time of assignment of counsel, organizational structure, caseload standards, holistic services, recruitment, training, supervision, language access, data tracking, and other quality controls.
- Evaluating the quality and effectiveness of Harris County's indigent defense system compared to model standards and practices.
- Creating a strategic plan to:
- Implement recommended improvements to create a model indigent defense system in Harris County, and
- Expand model public defense representation to at least 50% of indigent criminal cases, with realistic benchmark goals.
- Identify resource needs and sources of funding to implement a strategic plan.
- Set and periodically assess progress toward benchmark goals.
Working Group(s):
- Appointed Counsel
- Public Defender