November 25, 2014

Chair:
The Honorable Sharon Keller
Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals
Vice Chair:
The Honorable Olen Underwood
Ex Officio Members:
Honorable Sharon Keller
Honorable Nathan Hecht
Honorable John Whitmire
Honorable Royce West
Honorable Roberto Alonzo
Honorable Abel Herrero
Members Appointed by Governor:
Honorable Olen Underwood
Honorable Sherry Radack
Honorable Jon Burrows
Honorable B. Glen Whitley
Honorable Linda Rodriguez
Mr. Anthony Odiorne
Mr. Don Hase
Executive Director:
James D. Bethke

The Honorable Veronica Escobar

El Paso County Judge
500 E San Antonio #301
El Paso, TX 79901
Re: Review of El Paso Countys Indigent Defense Systems
Dear Judge Escobar:
In March 2014 Commissioner Vincent Perez asked the Texas Indigent
Defense Commission (Commission) to conduct an assessment of El Paso Countys
indigent defense processes. The work has been completed and compiled in the
enclosed report. The purpose of this request and assessment was to determine the
effectiveness of El Paso Countys indigent defense processes and to determine
whether local processes are in compliance with the Fair Defense Act. The
Commission interviewed judges and representatives from various departments in the
criminal justice system, observed a variety of court proceedings, and examined
indigent defense records to determine whether local processes and practices
comported with the requirements of the Fair Defense Act and Commission rules.
After you review the report, please respond to each recommendation with your
comments by January 31, 2015. These recommendations may require responses from
multiple parties. Please combine them into a single county response.
The Commission expresses its thanks to the El Paso County judiciary, county
officials, and employees for their assistance and courtesy during the course of the
monitoring visit. If you have any questions or need further clarifications, please
contact me at (512) 936-7560.
Sincerely,

Joel Lieurance
Policy Monitor

Texas Indigent Defense Commission

209 West 14th Street, Room 202 Austin, Texas 78701 www.tidc.texas.gov
Phone: 512.936.6994 Fax: 512.463.5724

cc:

The Honorable Carlos Leon, Commissioner, Pct. 1

The Honorable Sergio Lewis, Commissioner, Pct. 2
The Honorable Vincent Perez, Commissioner, Pct. 3
The Honorable Patrick Abeln, Commissioner, Pct. 4
The Honorable Patrick Garcia, Local Administrative District Judge
The Honorable Yahara Gutierrez, Juvenile Board Chair
The Honorable Alma Trejo, Local Administrative Statutory County Judge
The Honorable Jaime Esparza, El Paso District Attorney
The Honorable Jo Anne Bernal, El Paso County Attorney
The Honorable John Carter, Jail Magistrate
Mr. Mike Izquierdo, Council of Judges Administration Executive Director
Ms. Flora Alarcon, County Court Administrator
Mr. Jaime Gandara, Chief Public Defender
Mr. Edward Dion, El Paso County Auditor
Mr. Victor Perez, El Paso County Auditors Office
Mr. James D. Bethke, Executive Director, Texas Indigent Defense Commission

(enclosure)

Texas Indigent Defense Commission

209 West 14th Street, Room 202 Austin, Texas 78701 www.tidc.texas.gov
Phone: 512.936.6994 Fax: 512.463.5724