Texas Defender Service

Programs: The post-conviction project provides pro bono legal services to indigent defendants who have already been convicted of a capital crime through: (1) targeted case consulting with court appointed lawyers designed to ensure the preservation of potentially meritorious claims in state and federal court; and, (2) systematic data collection, which will provide tds with even more detailed information about cases and clients from the inception of appellate proceedings. Tds also provides post-conviction attorney trainings which identify developing issues in cases, and educate and equip lawyers to better handle these challenges. These defense team trainings and case consultation are services critical to improving the quality of representation in criminal cases in texas. Essential tasks include maintaining and increasing tds database of forensic experts, serving as a liaison between appellate defense teams and experts, and providing targeted support to defense teams through case consultation and identification of recurring systemic issues in capital trials.

the communications program sustains tds communications through the website and social media regarding developments within tds work and capital work in general. The lethal injection project monitors, litigates and advocates for a transparent lethal injection system in texas.

the trial project provides pro bono legal services to indigent defendants during their initial case in which they have been charged with a capital crime through: (1) targeted case consulting with court appointed lawyers at the trial level designed to ensure the presentation and preservation of potentially meritorious defenses and claims in state court; and, (2) systematic data collection, which will provide tds with even more detailed information about cases and clients from the inception of trial proceedings. Tds also provides trial level attorney trainings which identify developing issues in cases, and educate and equip lawyers to better handle these challenges. These defense team trainings and case consultation are services critical to improving the quality of representation in criminal cases in texas. Essential tasks include maintaining and increasing tds' database of forensic experts, serving as a liaison between trial level defense teams and experts, and providing targeted support to defense teams through case consultation and identification of recurring systemic issues in capital trials.