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Commissioners approve Padilla Plus indigent‑defense award after debate over scope and transparency
Summary
Court accepted Texas Indigent Defense Commission funding (Padilla Plus) with county match for FY 2026–27; commissioners raised questions about whether services extend beyond Padilla advisals and pressed for transparency in program management.
Bexar County Commissioners voted to accept terms of a court improvement program budget associated with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (described at the hearing as Padilla Plus) for fiscal year 10/01/2026–09/30/2027. The award was presented with a stated funding split of 30% grant and 70% county match for a total project cost of $484,527.82.
Commissioner Moody pressed county leadership on program scope and transparency, questioning whether Padilla Plus services extend beyond constitutionally required criminal defense advisals to include immigration defense (which he said raised policy concerns). Carrie Mallon, representing the public defender office, responded that the Padilla Plus lawyers perform Padilla advisals and criminal case work but “We don't do anything with immigration at all. We just advise them of what the possible consequences could be based on their criminal case.” The court directed staff to ensure transparency and monitoring of program compliance with grant terms and approved the budget acceptance motion.
