Most poll respondents say Hays County would benefit from a Public Defender’s Office

The Record’s online poll from May 17- 31 asked readers whether they think implementing a public defenders office in Hays County would be beneficial.

An attempt to submit a grant application that would help fund a public defender’s office in Hays County failed to gain support not just once, but twice, in the Hays County Commissioners Court recently.

The item was part of the commissioners’ regular meeting on May 7 and was the subject of a special meeting held May 10, which was also the deadline to submit the grant application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

The grant application to The Texas Indigent Defense Commission would provide a portion of the funding for a public defender’s office.

Those that are for adding a public defenders office say that the Hays County Jail population is something that the county spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on annually outsourcing inmates and the system often fails individuals with mental health issues.

Those against implementing the grant process say more time is needed to make a comprehensive plan and that a pretrial services office might be a better option for the county.

Commenters on the poll also voiced that they would like to see the county implement both pretrial services and a public defender’s office.

“It shouldn’t be either a Public Defender’s Office or a Pre-Trial Services office. This county needs both, as that’s how bad criminal justice issues have been neglected in this county,” Facebook commenter Eric Martinez said.

The poll asking, “Do you think implementing a public defenders office in Hays County would be beneficial?” received a total of 165 votes, with the majority of votes — 70 percent or 116 votes — going to option “Yes, the county spends thousands of dollars annually outsourcing inmates.” Thirty percent of voters chose, “No, there needs to be a comprehensive plan and pretrial services might be a better option.”

A majority of poll voters think implementing a public defender’s office would be beneficial as the county already spends thousands of dollars annually outsourcing inmates. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.

SMDR’s new poll is available online now and asks for readers’ opinions on whether they think a proposed purpose-built student housing development in downtown that was recently denied a conditional use permit would be beneficial. It can be voted on now.