The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) oversees and improves public defense throughout the State of Texas. Thirteen Commission Members and twelve staff lead TIDC. Their mission is to protect the right to counsel and improve the public defense. TIDC safeguards liberty by ensuring that Texas and its 254 counties provide the right to counsel guaranteed by the United States and Texas Constitutions. TIDC's work takes three main forms: funding, oversight, and improvement. First, an individual must apply for a public defender by completing a detailed financial statement and agreeing to provide documentation concerning income, assets and debts for the person and the person's spouse, if any. This information is generally provided to a court employee who reviews the financial information and recommends to the judge whether or not the person is eligible for government-paid counsel. Please visit their website for who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's office and how and when you can apply.