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
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Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Sole Source
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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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):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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03/19/2026 |
142 |
Motion to direct the Public Defender’s Office and the Office of Managed Assigned Counsel, in coordination with the Office of County Administration and Office of Management and Budget, to finalize comprehensive three-to-five-year strategic plans, which shall include, for the Public Defender, addressing representation in capital cases, and return to Commissioners Court with those plans before August 1. These strategic plans should be updated on an annual basis and future funding and staffing requests should align with those plans and progress toward outlined milestones |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/6/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Saumya Rana, Director of Policy and Strategic Planning.
Attachments (if applicable):