South Texas College of Law Houston has received a $1.27 million gift aimed at launching a criminal defense certification program, which is meant to train defense lawyers to more effectively represent indigent defendants in the city’s courts.
The money came from an anonymous donor, the school said in a statement, adding that it would be the first program of its kind in the state. The program would be geared toward preparing lawyers to meet the minimum experience requirements to be appointed as counsel for indigent defendants, the school said. “Without enough trained advocates to provide quality criminal defense at the trial level, indigent defendants have no real chance at justice and due process,” said Catherine Greene Burnett, vice president, associate dean and professor of law at the school. “This program aims to increase the number of qualified defense attorneys who can accept court appointments—as approved by local criminal court judges—and provide client-centered representation and ardent defense.”
