Hays County will consider accepting a grant from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission during Tuesday’s commissioner’s court meeting for a counsel at first appearance randomized control trial.
The Hays County Commissioner’s Court unanimously voted on Nov. 19, 2019 to submit a letter of support to the Texas A&M University, Public Policy Research Institute for the randomized control trial, which will study the potential benefits of having counsel at first appearance. A&M’s Public Policy Research Institute has partnered with Harvard University and was looking for counties to participate in the trial study, According to Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell during Nov. 19’s meeting.
The county voted on Nov. 27, 2019 to submit a grant application to the TIDC for the controlled trial. The TIDC granted Hays County $136,500. The funds granted will be used to compensate defense attorneys that will be in attendance at the “first appearance” — the bail hearing of a defendant in front of a judge or magistrate, according to the agenda.
