Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved amotion by Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones to appoint JudgeGenesis Draper as the next chief of the Harris County Public Defender’s Office.
Judge Draper will be the first African American and womanto lead the office, which is responsible for providing comprehensive legalrepresentation, including mental health services and appellate representation,to indigent defendants.
Judge Draper began her law career as an assistant publicdefender and served in that role at both the state and federal levels inHouston. She has served as judge of Harris County Criminal Court at LawNo. 12. since 2019.
Commissioner Briones and Commissioner Ellis, who serve asco-chairs of Harris County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s IndigentDefense Committee, celebrated Judge Draper’s appointment as a crucial stepforward to ensuring justice for all.
“The future of indigent defense in our community isbrighter with Judge Draper at the helm. Public defenders are essential toupholding the right to counsel, which is a fundamental safeguard for a fairlegal process,” said Commissioner Ellis. “That’s why we are committed toexpanding the Public Defender’s Office to handle at least half of all indigentdefense cases in Harris County. This goal is not only achievable, but alsoessential to manage more cases effectively and ensure everyone receives the fairtrial they deserve.”
Said Commissioner Lesley Briones: “Judge Draper is uniquelyqualified to lead this office. As a criminal court judge and a former publicdefender, she brings invaluable experience and a deep passion for indigentdefense. Her unwavering commitment to justice and her comprehensiveunderstanding of the justice system will expand the capacity andstrengthen the excellence of the Public Defender’s Office. I look forward toworking with her to ensure that Harris County’s indigent defense system is amodel for the nation.”
For over a decade, Judge Draper represented indigent peopleaccused of crimes and saw firsthand the challenges of the criminal justicesystem. Since taking the bench, Judge Draper has been committed toreducing time from arrest to trial, ensuring defendants and victims of crimedon’t have to wait years for justice.
“Justice depends on not just the law, but people beingwilling to defend it. I appreciate the opportunity to do so. We are livingthrough a defining moment, where principles of due process and equal protectionare being tested. I’m honored and privileged to join this fight, andexcited to join the incredible team at the Public Defender’s Office,” saidJudge Genesis Draper.
Judge Draper earned a Bachelor of Arts in English fromSpelman College and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University ofTexas at Austin School of Law.
She has traveled the country lecturing and training lawyerson best practices in indigent defense. Judge Draper also serves as an adjunctprofessor for advanced trial advocacy at the University of Houston LawCenter.
Judge Draper will replace Alex Bunin, who will retire inDecember. Bunin was appointed in November 2010 as Harris County’s first chiefpublic defender.
Commissioner Briones and Commissioner Ellis thank Mr. Buninfor his leadership and service to Harris County.
Judge Draper’s appointment takes effect in July, and Buninwill work with Judge Draper on the transition.