Hays County Commissioners Accept Grant For First-Appearance RCT Project

The Hays County Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize the execution of the Hays County Counsel at First Appearance RCT Project.

As part of the project, the county accepted a grant in the amount of $136,500; the funds will be utilized to compensate defense attorneys that will be in attendance at the first appearance — bail hearing of a defendant in front of a judge or magistrate.

In November 2019, the court authorized the submissions of the technical support grant. There is no cash match requirement, and the acceptance of the grant will be done via email on or before March 1.

Commissioner Debbie Gonzales-Ingalsbe said it was a great opportunity to look at the benefits of having counsel at magistration or first appearance.

“There are defense attorneys who have agreed to participate in the program,” Ingalsbe said. “So we’re really excited to implement yet another program that I believe will really help the system.”

Commissioners voted 4 to 0 to approve the grant acceptance with Commissioner Lon Shell absent.