Shelby Sirivore

Andrew Davies, Director of Research at the Deason Center, and Shelby Sirivore, an independent contractor, delve into the complexities of indigent defense in Texas. They discuss how local policies can drastically affect access to legal representation for those who can’t afford an attorney. The duo highlights the alarming disparity in indigency thresholds across counties and examines trends in appointed counsel rates. They also explore how rural public defender offices mitigate attorney shortages, showing that these offices significantly increase representation for the unrepresented.