public defender

A New York Times investigation exposes how many rural regions of Texas violate the rights of individuals charged with misdemeanors. Digging into Maverick County there are questions about why indigent suspects are rarely given access to an attorney—even when they ask for one—leaving them in jail without charges.

The Texas Indigent Defense Commission is asking the Legislature to allocate millions of the state's general revenue to rural public defense attorneys and offices.

In Texas, judges have oversight over the appointment and scheduling of court appointed attorneys for people who cannot afford to hire their own legal…