TFDP - Home of the Texas Fair Defense Project

Texas Fair Defense Project (TFDP) is a nonprofit organization located in Austin, Texas. TFDP works to improve the fairness and accuracy of the criminal justice system in Texas, with a primary focus on improving access to counsel and the quality of representation provided to poor people accused of crime. TFDP defends the rights of indigent criminal defendants through litigation, education, and advocacy.

Please consider making an online donation to TFDP.

What's New

TFDP Harris County PD White Paper

Benefits of a Public Defender Office

Increasing accountability and cost effectiveness in Harris County’s Indigent Defense System: Click here for the PDF.

TFDP Wins U.S. Supreme Court Case

Affirming that All Texans Have Right to Counsel Shortly After Arrest

Walter Rothgery

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Rothgery v. Gillespie County that Texas is violating the Sixth Amendment by failing to appoint counsel within a reasonable time after indigent defendants have their initial appearance before a magistrate and are informed of the charges against them.

Under current Texas practice, indigent defendants often are denied appointed counsel until they are indicted, which could come weeks or months after an arrest and initial appearance. The initial appearance that triggers the right to counsel, however, occurs soon after arrest, and many Texas counties will need to change their procedures to conform to the Court's ruling.

The Supreme Court's opinion in Rothgery was issued on June 23, 2008. For a press release on the decision, click here. For opinions and pleadings in the case, click here.