2013-08-05T09:24:21-07:00 2012-12-31 Blazek & Vetterling 2900 Weslayan Suite 200 Houston TX 770275132 990 2012-01-01 760481649 Texas Defender Service TEXA 5123208300 510 S Congress Austin TX 78704 Kathryn Kase 2013-08-05 true Jody Blazek P00072674 7134395739 X 2012 2016-02-24 21:20:13Z Kathryn Kase 510 South Congress Ste 304 Austin TX 78704 2425695 false false X www.texasdefender.org X 1995 TX TDS' mission is to promote a fair and just criminal justice system in Texas. TDS' goals are to reduce unfair use of the death penalty in Texas and to establish an indigent defense system that works. 11 11 29 10 0 2575053 1771861 550738 651551 19 576 0 3125810 2423988 207500 0 0 2098222 1437420 0 78602 816534 852720 3122256 2290140 3554 133848 1532254 1653425 70077 57400 1462177 1596025 X Texas Defender Services mission is to promote a fair and just criminal justice system in Texas. false false 578256 291358 The Post-Conviction Project provides pro bono legal services to indigent defendants who have already been convicted of a capital crime through: (1) targeted case consulting with court appointed lawyers designed to ensure the preservation of potentially meritorious claims in state and federal court; and, (2) systematic data collection, which will provide TDS with even more detailed information about cases and clients from the inception of appellate proceedings. TDS also provides post-conviction attorney trainings which identify developing issues in cases, and educate and equip lawyers to better handle these challenges. These defense team trainings and case consultation are services critical to improving the quality of representation in criminal cases in Texas. Essential tasks include maintaining and increasing TDS database of forensic experts, serving as a liaison between appellate defense teams and experts, and providing targeted support to defense teams through case consultation and identification of recurring systemic issues in capital trials. 574833 344493 The Trial Project provides pro bono legal services to indigent defendants during their initial case in which they have been charged with a capital crime through: (1) targeted case consulting with court appointed lawyers at the trial level designed to ensure the presentation and preservation of potentially meritorious defenses and claims in state court; and, (2) systematic data collection, which will provide TDS with even more detailed information about cases and clients from the inception of trial proceedings. TDS also provides trial level attorney trainings which identify developing issues in cases, and educate and equip lawyers to better handle these challenges. These defense team trainings and case consultation are services critical to improving the quality of representation in criminal cases in Texas. Essential tasks include maintaining and increasing TDS database of forensic experts, serving as a liaison between trial level defense teams and experts, and providing targeted support to defense teams through case consultation and identification of recurring systemic issues in capital trials. 421088 13300 The Capital Communications Project implements public education strategies to help increase success in capital litigation. The project develops and provides information to the public and interested stakeholders about the facts of these cases. 430029 2400 2004206 true true false true false false false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 17 0 true 29 true false false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 11 11 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true false true true true false X Kelly Josh 5123208300 510 S Congress Suite 304 Austin TX 78704 Andrew Tauber 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Raoul Schonemann 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Douglas Robinson 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Morrow 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Neal Manne 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alison Leland 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Charles Kelley 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Stephen Bright 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jeffrey Pokorak 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Elizabeth Semel 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Jordan Steiker 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Kelly Josh 40.00 0.00 X 54208 0 10497 Kathryn Kase 50.00 0.00 X 100173 0 8145 Marc Bookman 40.00 0.00 X 103261 0 12171 257642 30813 2 false false false 0 1771861 1707 1771861 Fiscal sponsorship fee 900099 2400 2400 Fees for prov. legal svcs 541100 649151 649151 651551 576 576 0 0 0 0 1707 1707 0 0 0 0 2423988 651551 576 X 0 0 0 0 173023 54159 91784 27080 0 1057249 1001936 26527 28786 0 139630 124003 10695 4932 67518 54154 9762 3602 0 7060 7060 9373 9373 0 0 0 505352 504772 150 430 0 76789 58223 13418 5148 0 0 100668 82090 11147 7431 104369 98677 4506 1186 0 1746 1746 0 0 19684 19684 9603 6377 3226 Research 6580 6573 7 Subscriptions and books 11496 11496 0 2290140 2004206 207332 78602 286208 682513 215360 625000 175000 15306 0 0 0 0 0 10338 635 678400 99208 594677 579192 0 0 0 0 725 725 1532254 1653425 70077 57400 70077 57400 X 1154547 891139 307630 704886 1462177 1596025 1532254 1653425 133848 X false true X true false X 1535225 2793063 2457864 2575053 1771861 11133066 0 0 1535225 2793063 2457864 2575053 1771861 11133066 8034934 3098132 1874 634 353 19 576 3456 0 0 11136522 1776176 0.27820 0.29800 X Part II, Line 17b--FACTS & CIRCUMSTANCES TESTThe Texas Defender Service (TDS) submits that throughout its existence to date and in the future, it qualifies as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code 509(a)(1) by satisfying the requirements of Regulations 1.170A-9(f)(3) as follows: (i). Ten Percent Test: Texas Defender Service has historically and normally can be expected in the future to receive over 10% of its total support from the general public. (ii). Attraction of Public Support: Texas Defender Service is dedicated to promoting a fair and just criminal justice system in Texas. TDS has attracted the support of many small family foundations, Texas-based organizations and individuals since it began in 1995. From its inception until 2007, TDS had 33 1/3% or more of its support come from the public. 2008 was the first year that the balance of public funding fell below this amount, primarily due to increased funding from two large foundations which have helped TDS to make qualitative leaps in its ability to fulfill its mission. TDS continues to have an active outreach to small and major donors through the annual appeal drive which typically garners a hundred or more donations from individuals and firms. TDS focuses fundraising efforts in the legal community and receives support from attorneys throughout Texas and the nation. In addition to the annual appeal, TDS applies for and receives grants from numerous publicly supported and family foundations. TDS will continue to strive to increase the amount of public support it receives through increased and varied fundraising appeals and public events. (iii). Percentage of Financial Support: TDS received above 33-1/3% of its total support from public sources in its first twelve years and can reasonably expect to return to that ratio. TDS continues to increase the amount received from individual donors and to improve fundraising efforts. TDS believes that the ratio will again be above the 33 1/3 ratio over the next year or two as new initiatives have a chance to affect fundraising sources.(iv). Sources of Support: TDS receives its support from a representative number of foundations and individuals, rather than receiving almost all of its support from the members of a single family or small group of individuals. TDS has to date received gifts from over 100 contributors. Every year TDS has 10-12 law students who volunteer for 40 hours a week for an average of 10 weeks. These students help with special case and issue specific research and writing projects that TDS simply could not do if it were not for their help. Their support enriches TDS' work significantly with each student volunteer offering approximately 400 hours of assistance.(v) Representative Governing Body: TDS' governing body is composed of 11 members of the legal community, none of whom serves as the executive director or on the board of a funding organization. (vi). Availability of Facilities or Services and Public Participation: TDS' programs impact the entire community on Texas' death row and their family members. Because TDS' work impacts the entire criminal justice system in Texas, its programs impact all Texans in creating a criminal justice system that is fairer, more just and more respectful of civil and human rights for everyone in the state. CONCLUSION: Texas Defender Service believes it qualifies as a publicly supported charity described in IRC 509(a)(1) pursuant to the facts and circumstances test found in Treasury Regulation 1.170A-9(f)(3). TDS has and will receive well in excess of ten percent (10%) of its total support from qualifying public sources. It serves the entire population of Texas' death row and all Texans in fighting for a more just criminal justice system. TDS is governed by a public board and possesses all the characteristics that describe organizations that meet this test. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false 13914 13914 2276226 2290140 264507 66127 false 250703 260950 306113 264507 1082273 1623410 34715 30467 44058 13914 123154 62676 65238 76528 66127 270569 405854 176400 176400 389855 29988 359867 112145 69220 42925 579192 2423988 2423988 2423988 2290140 2290140 2290140 Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available All governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available upon request. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees The Executive Director sets the salaries of other employees in consultation with the board of directors. Salaries are set based on an existing internal salary scale which is compared to the salary scale of Federal Public Defenders in a similar position of responsibility. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management The salary of the Executive Director is determined by the board of directors. Data regarding the salaries of other similarly sized non-profits is used to compare compensation. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts The officers and directors of TDS are required to report any conflicts of interest throughout the year. Any conflicts reported are discussed by the governing body which decides how to handle the conflict of interest. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process The Director of Finance and Administration reviews the 990 after it has been prepared by outside accountants; the Executive Director then sends it to the board of directors for comment prior to filing with the IRS. The board of directors has no less than 30 days to review the 990 prior to filing and during that period is invited to submit questions and comments regarding the 990 to the Chairperson of the board. Form 990, Part III, Line 4d Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: Other Program Services Description OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: The Capital Communications Project implements public education strategies to help increase success in capital litigation. The project develops and provides information to the public and interested stakeholders about the facts of these cases. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: The Prosecutorial Accountability Project (PAP) supports a climate of accountability for prosecutors. Through education and advocacy, PAP promotes better understanding and utilization of the appropriate regulatory authorities in cases where misconduct occurs. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: The StandDown Texas Project maintains a website that is constantly updated to allow interested parties to be aware of the most current issues in indigent defense and capital punishment issues and maintains several different listserves to communicate with general audiences and highly issue-specific groups, including mental health criminal justice groups. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation (ACCR) is a regional death penalty representation project based in Philadelphia.