Primary Department: Public Defender
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Chief Genesis Draper
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Sole Source
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Public Defender for discussion and possible action regarding the Harris County Public Defender's Office Strategic Planning Report.
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Background and Discussion:
On March 19, 2026, Commissioners Court directed the Public Defender's Office and the Managed Assigned Counsel to develop comprehensive three-to-five-year strategic plans, including addressing representation in capital cases, and to return to Commissioners Court with those plans by August. This item presents the PDO's Strategic Planning Report in response to that directive.
Expected Impact:
Alternative Options:
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: D: Reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities in the criminal legal system.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): D5: Reduce reliance on court-appointed counsel by supporting the expansion and improving the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the PDO and MAC.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
Date
Agenda Item #
Action Taken
03/19/2026
142
Motion to di...
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