Mental Health Defense Office
By: Joe Griffin
Updated: April 25, 2008
The County Commissioners Court approved a grant application to start a defenders office that will provide specialized lawyers for offenders that suffer form mental illnesses. Sheriff David Gutierrez says many of the roughly 19,000 people who come through the Lubbock County Jail suffer from mental issues.
Gutierrez believes a specialized defense office can help get these people through the system quicker and provide legal alternatives for treatment and rehabilitation.
Lawyers will be recruited form the private sector and will have to specialize in clients with special needs.


