Rep. Guillen Announces $81,127 For Webb County Juvenile Defender Program
Written by admin, Jun 16, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Ryan Guillen,
Grant will assist in providing more local services related to juvenile defenseAUSTIN — State Representative Ryan Guillen (D-Webb County) announced today that Webb County will receive $81,127 in grant funds from the Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense (TFID) to continue its efforts to offer quality, defense services to indigent juveniles facing charges.
Webb County applied for and received a discretionary grant to establish a Juvenile Defender Program in fiscal year 2009. The TFID voted today to provide the county with its final year of funding for the four-year program.
“The implementation of this multi-year grant has provided stronger advocacy representation for the youth of Webb County,” said Rep. Guillen. “It’s a step in the right direction for the county and our state’s juvenile justice system”.
The Webb County Public Defender’s office will administer the grant and stated that “The grant comes at the right time to assist in the delivery of juvenile defense services in Webb County. The grant will help defray defense expenses which come with the increasing case load being experienced in Webb County. This should also assist in providing more local services related to juvenile defense.”
Past grant funds for the Juvenile Defender Program have been used to provide additional personnel in the form of three additional attorneys, a paralegal, an investigator and support staff. In addition, the previous grants assisted in enhancing services by providing funds for training, travel, additional equipment and supplies.
