Because poverty is not a crime.

Movement lawyering for racial and economic justice in the criminal legal system.

A view of <a href=a Houston highway overpass at night. Neon streaks of red and orange represent moving cars. A set of highway signs is blurred but visible through fence links." />

Freedom to Drive

We help people with suspended licenses and push for system-wide reforms to protect those unable to pay fees.

 A photograph of an empty jail hall, taken in black and white. Ten to twenty clean, sterile and empty jail cells are open. There are no people in the picture.

Pretrial Reform

We improve pretrial and bail practices using impact litigation, policy advocacy and grassroots support.

Right to Counsel

We work to ensure that all Texans' constitutional right to quality counsel in a criminal case is meaningful.

<a href=The outside of a City of Austin municipal building. A flyer promoting one of TFDP's Driver's License Recovery Clinics has been taped to an outside wall with a red arrow encouraging people to look for the clinic inside." />

Criminal Debt

Through litigation, public education and legislative advocacy, TFDP works to end modern-day debtors' prison.

A group of people rallies together outside during the day to advocate for a Texas public defenders' office.

Community Lawyering

We support the work of grassroots organizations and directly-impacted people working toward a more just system.

Four piles of papers are stacked on a table in a room with overhead fluorescent lighting. <a href=The papers are separated by accordion folders and paper binders. Many pages have yellow post-its poking through them." />

Record Clearing

We provide expunction and record-clearing services for eligible Texans, and push for reforms to make these services more accessible.