Indigent defense services
Summary
The county's public defender office will cost about $140,000 more this year than appointed attorneys did last year, though 115 more cases are being handled and cases are closing faster. The court agreed to revisit the numbers during budget season.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 3, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $140,000 more in indigent defense spending this year, though still within the amount allocated.
Defendants get faster case resolution, and taxpayers may save long-term once the flat-fee contract fully takes over.
Taxpayers foot the higher bill during the transition year.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Commissioners Court Agenda - Jun 3, 2026
The new public defender's office has taken about 525 cases since October — roughly 90-95% of the county's criminal caseload — at a projected cost of about $500 per case. The county pays about $300,000 this year, possibly $400,000 next year, but the office expects to underspend and is working on automation that could save hundreds of thousands.
Agenda Center - May 6, 2026
The county's public defender office will cost about $140,000 more this year than appointed attorneys did last year, though 115 more cases are being handled and cases are closing faster. The court agreed to revisit the numbers during budget season.
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