Judge Eckhardt email re: Indigent Legal Services

Commissioners,

By way of an update in advance of Tuesday, I am sorry to report that there is not agreement at this time on the content of a Letter of Intent to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) for the use of targeted TIDC funds.

However, after meeting with Amanda Woog of Fair Defense, Ira Davis of CapDS, Andy Casey of ACDLA and Judge Kennedy as the representative of the criminal courts, Geoff Burkhart agreed to explore whether TIDC could allow us more time to reach accord. We will have more information on that possibility after the TIDC board meeting on Thursday.

In the meantime, discussions continue about creation of a public defender’s office, additional resources for CapDS, and adjustments to compensation for private indigent counsel.