Number	17383
Subject	Criminal Justice System
Source	Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas)
State	TX
Year	2000
Publication Date	Oct. 15, 16, 17
Summary	A Star-Telegram three-part series reveals that in Tarrant county, Texas, "people who can't afford their own attorneys are much more likely to receive a jail or prison sentence than people who pay for their own lawyers, even among defendants with similar criminal histories." The reporters examine more than 10, 500 court records and find numerous cases of innocent people, spending months in prison, because they can't afford to pay an experienced attorney. The investigation also shows that poor are more vulnerable to death penalty. "The findings reveal a system in which poor defendants must stay in jail because they can't afford bail or an attorney; low compensation leads many top defense attorneys to avoid court appointed cases, leaving defendants with inexperienced lawyers; rules for providing lawyers to the poor differ from judge to judge."
Category	Contest Entry
Pages	37
Keywords	Texas Public Information Act;crime;wrongful convictions;death penalty;lawyers
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