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Commissioner McGowan named Callahan County representative to Concho Valley Public Defender oversight board
Summary
The court appointed Commissioner McGowan to a two-year term on the Concho Valley Public Defender oversight board; Elizabeth Berry, chief public defender, said the office has handled roughly 15 cases in Callahan County and has 30 pending cases, most felonies.
Callahan County commissioners voted March 10 to appoint Commissioner McGowan as the county's representative to the Concho Valley Public Defender oversight board for a two-year term through Dec. 30, 2026.
Elizabeth Berry, chief public defender for the Concho Valley Public Defender's Office, told the court the regional office began handling Callahan County cases in July 2023. "Since our acceptance of cases here in Callahan County, we've handled approximately 15 cases for y'all. We've got 30 pending right now," Berry said, noting that most pending matters are felony cases.
Berry described the oversight board as a 15-member panel that includes a representative from each of the 11 counties the office serves; oversight-board meetings occur quarterly by Zoom. She said the commitment is relatively light and offered to answer questions about the office's caseload and operations.
Judge Harrell asked whether the county judge should serve; Berry explained the board's design seeks to avoid a conflict of interest created if presiding judges both oversee and appear before the office, and the membership plan anticipates a county-level representative. Commissioner Windham moved to appoint Commissioner McGowan, Commissioner Farmer seconded, and the court approved the appointment by voice vote.
Commissioner McGowan will provide contact information to the public defender's office and represent Callahan County at quarterly oversight meetings.
