​Why We Exist​

 

Before 2024, people in Victoria, Jackson, Lavaca, and Refugio Counties who couldn't afford a lawyer were assigned private attorneys from a rotating list, who fit the cases in around their own practices. The county judges in all four counties saw people moving through their courts without real representation, and they saw what that was costing defendants, taxpayers, and their communities.

In 2024 the four counties created Crossroads Defenders, an office whose attorneys and staff do nothing but this work.

​

What We Do

 

We represent people who cannot afford a lawyer. Each client has attorneys, investigators, social workers, and support staff working on the case. Along with the court case, we help clients with housing, mental health care, and employment, which are often the problems that brought them to court. A strong defense protects people who are innocent and makes the government prove its case, and that is good for everyone. We serve four South Texas counties, handle conflict cases in Goliad County, and are still growing.

​

Where We Work​

 

Our office is in the historic McFaddin Building on Liberty Street in downtown Victoria. Victoria County bought the building for us, which saved taxpayers money and gave the office a permanent home. We think it's the nicest public defender office in Texas.

​

​Where We Are Headed

 

Brian Watson became our first Chief Defender in May 2024, and the office has grown every year since. Our goal is to be the best holistic defense office in rural Texas and to show that people in small counties can get the same quality of defense as anyone else.

​