Justice in Texas (Chapter 7)

Rights of the accused

Largely mirror rights in the U.S. Constitution, Indigent defense & The Fair Defense Act

Indigent defense

Conferred by the Texas Constitution & Guaranteed by the Bill of Rights

The Fair Defense Act

minimum standards of defense

Texans distrust government in most areas, but exhibit _ in the criminal justice system

trust

Criticisms of privatization

harsher conditions, importation of violent offenders & higher rates of clinical depression (Serious problems with Texas Youth Commission)

privatization

Contracting incarceration to private entities & Cost saving is the motivation

_% of Texas inmates were held in private prisons in 2014

8.7

Ruiz v. Estelle (1972)

Overcrowding, poor security, & inadequate medical care

Prison conditions in Texas

Texas's has a reputation for having among the toughest prisons in the country

Examples of prison conditions

prisoners overseeing other prisoners, harsh living conditions, violence is common, aging prisoners, & lack of air conditioning

treatment

nonviolent crime & substance abuse offenses

recent shift toward rehabilitation

motivated by cost and to reduce recidivism, special drug courts and veterans courts, technical parole violations, & restorative justice

Policies in Texas tend to criminalize more behaviors

The political culture of the state is tough on crime. (Long sentences are popular among voters), Stiff drug law, More recent consideration of marijuana decriminalization (77% favored some level of decriminalization)