Legal help available for indigent offenders

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Indigent Defense Commission is providing Bexar County with a $600,000 grant to provide attorney services for the homeless and those with mental health issues.

The program is designed to identify people often called “frequent fliers” – people who are in and out of the court system for a variety of minor offenses. 

Instead of going to jail they are offered options, from housing to medical attention and job search guidance.

“Locking somebody up, just putting them in jail, doesn’t seem to be the answer,” said Chief Public Defender Michael Young. “And I think we’re finally realizing that.”

Young oversees the program funded by the grant.

“Most of them have some other life event going on that if you could address it and help them you’re not going to see them in the criminal justice system again,” Young said. “And it’s cheaper too.”

The program, which has been operating for less than a year, already boasts success stories.

“I’m trying to get my life straight and this program has already helped me,” said a woman who asked that KSAT only call her Candy.

“If not for this program I would either be on the streets or in Jail,” she said.

The grant is for 5 years. After that it will be up to the county to pick up the tab if it feels it is worth it.

Young said that it is.

“If you can do something to break the in-and-out-of-jail cycle you’re going to save the county money, and it’s going to make fiscal sense,” he said.