2011-11-10T14:42:41-08:00 2010-12-31 Blazek & Vetterling 2900 Weslayan Suite 200 Houston TX 770275132 990 2010-01-01 760481649 Texas Defender Service TEXA 5123208300 510 S Congress Austin TX 78704 Kathryn Kase 2011-11-10 Jody Blazek 7134395739 X 2010 2016-03-07 17:11:31Z Kathryn Kase 2771343 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 improve the quality of representation afforded those facing the death penalty in Texas and advance reforms that work to provide those accused of crimes access to competent counsel. 13 12 30 14 0 2793063 2457864 184355 313126 634 353 0 2978052 2771343 0 0 1431523 1905872 0 141671 582542 761767 2014065 2667639 963987 103704 1416525 1526081 61606 67458 1354919 1458623 X Texas Defender Services mission is to promote a fair and just criminal justice system in Texas. true false 1177562 136835 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. 544700 176291 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. 254851 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. 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. 241896 2219009 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 true false false false false false false false false false true false false false false true 23 0 true 30 true false false false false false false true true false false false 0 false false false false false false false false false false false X 13 12 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true false true true true false false X Kelly Josh 5123208300 510 S Congress Suite 304 Austin TX 78704 Steven B Bright 1.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Morrow 1.00 X 0 0 0 Raoul Schonemann 1.00 X 0 0 0 Nicole Casarez 1.00 X 0 0 0 Neal Manne 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mike Charleton 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kelly Josh 40.00 X 61559 0 10235 Jordan Steiker 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jeffrey Pokorak 1.00 X 0 0 0 Elisabeth Semel 1.00 X 0 0 0 Eden Harrington 5.00 X 0 0 0 Douglas Robinson 1.00 X 0 0 0 David Dow 20.00 X X 60000 0 0 Charles Kelley 1.00 X 0 0 0 Andrea Keilen 40.00 X 120171 0 10531 241730 20766 1 false false false 0 2457864 24710 2457864 Court Appointed Fees 541100 313126 313126 313126 353 353 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2771343 313126 353 0 0 0 0 262496 185862 59207 17427 0 1389388 1167295 135192 86901 0 130640 103927 18629 8084 123348 99153 16465 7730 0 0 8100 8100 0 0 0 377628 370539 2000 5089 0 92238 69608 19008 3622 0 0 104051 79207 15209 9635 108397 103761 1461 3175 0 18345 12687 5658 0 0 22980 22980 10670 7665 3005 Legal research & subscriptions 15690 15637 45 8 Dues & membership 3668 3668 0 2667639 2219009 306959 141671 593595 168604 130978 3720 675000 78206 10770 56931 0 0 0 9768 1923 668173 59765 598932 608408 5046 0 0 0 0 725 1416525 1526081 61606 67458 61606 67458 X 594292 1258623 760627 200000 1354919 1458623 1416525 1526081 103704 X false true true X false false X 1459984 1465755 1535225 2793063 2457864 9711891 0 0 1459984 1465755 1535225 2793063 2457864 9711891 6819663 2892228 128 851 1874 634 353 3840 0 0 9715731 717918 0.29770 0.29780 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(e)(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. Since its inception TDS has 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 or higher over the next few years as new fundraising efforts mature. TDS hired a professional development consultant in late 2008, but the new initiatives promoted by the development consultant have not yet increased the public support. TDS believes that due to these new initiatives, the ratio of public support will be higher in 2011 and will again be above the threshold percentage 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.(v) Representative Governing Body: TDS' governing body is composed of 13 members of the legal community, only one of whom serves as the executive director 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(e)(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 30467 30467 2188542 2219009 260950 65238 false 191299 209920 250703 260950 912872 1369308 23903 17260 34715 30467 106345 47825 52480 62676 65238 228219 342329 176400 176400 389855 389855 101918 59765 42153 608408 2771343 2667639 103704 103704 2771343 2771343 2771343 2667639 2667639 2667639 Andrea Keilen Personal X 56931 56931 false false true 56931 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 key employees in consultation with the executive committee of 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 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 and to fill out a conflict of interest questionnaire once a year. Any conflicts reported are discussed by the governing body which decides how to handle the conflict of interest. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11 Form 990, Part VI, Line 11: Form 990 Review Process The Director of Finance and Administration reviews the 990 after it has been prepared by outside accountants; then sends it to the board of directors for comment prior to filing with the IRS. 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. 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 5: The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation (ACCR) is a regional death penalty representation project based in Philadelphia. Further described on Part III, Line 2. Form 990, Part III, Line 2 Form 990, Part III, Line 2: New Services The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation (ACCR) is a regional death penalty representation project based in Philadelphia. ACCRs goals are to reduce the use of the death penalty in the mid-Atlantic region. ACCR engages in a synergistic mix of concerted litigation activities, communications, and incremental policy reform advocacy designed to reduce the use of the death penalty. Texas Innocence Network 100 Law Ctr Houston TX 77204 043710400 Representing clients in innocence claims TX 501(c)(3) 509(a)(1) N/A false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false