Ways to Give

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Operation Lone Star

In March 2021, Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star ("OLS"), a border security program that deployed military and law enforcement resources to the Texas/Mexico border to assist local and federal authorities in “prevent[ing] criminal activity along the border.”

Since its inception, over 8,000 people have been prosecuted under OLS. Most of them have been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass. These individuals are held in former state prisons (the Briscoe and Segovia Units) that have been converted into OLS pretrial detention facilities.

Indigent Defense Program

The Texas Legislature appropriated funds for OLS indigent defense. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission awarded a grant to the Lubbock Private Defenders Office (LPDO) to serve as the Indigent Defense Hub for OLS. LPDO is responsible for overseeing the defense program, assigning counsel to cases, and providing support and resources to defense attorneys.

Currently, LPDO appoints counsel for OLS cases arising out of 7 counties. The appointment list includes two public defender offices - Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid & Neighborhood Defenders Service - as well as a panel of 20+ defense attorneys. With arrest numbers increasing, LPDO is looking to continue to increase the number of attorneys on the panel. Join our efforts!