TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — The Travis County Commissioners Court is trying to make it easier for defendants to have representation when they first appear in court.
On Tuesday, commissioners approved the creation of 39 new positions to represent and assist defendants at their first court appearances, which are often bail hearings.
The new positions span 10 different county departments. Staff are still working on what individual shifts would look like, but the goal is to start hiring in October.
“It’s the clerks and the county attorney and the district attorney and the judges and our appointed leadership working week after week to make this happen,” Commissioner Ann Howard (Precinct 3) said. “And I’m just delighted that we, as a court, have played a role in advancing this justice reform.”
The county said it is also hoping to recruit new staff at a job fair on Wednesday, Sept. 4. That fair will be held on the first floor of the Travis County Administrative Building, located at 700 Lavaca St. in Downtown Austin.