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Budget cuts threaten new office for capital habeas writs

Because it's in its startup phase, Texas' new Office of Capital Writs created in 2009 is in danger of falling victim to the budget crunch because its caseload appears small compared to its budget - mostly because its been in business such a short time, but also because of the declining number of death sentences statewide, the Austin Statesman's Chuck Lindell reports. In some quarters (and I'd heard similar rumors elsewhere) that makes the new office appear expendable or at least a potential target for significant reductions. Though inevitably it won't be long before their volume increases, legislative budget decisions will be made in the next few months and for now the per-employee caseload appears sparse. The new West Texas capital public defender startup, I understand, faces similar concerns about generating enough volume to justify the office in the near-term, though long-term most folks agree the so-called "murder insurance" they provide will save participating counties money if and when they pursue capital cases...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on January 03, 2011 (boomark / email).