Defense Clinic
“Our clients are getting three to four dedicated attorneys for the cost of one they could not afford.”
— Jemila Lea, J.D. · Clinic Director
Tarrant County is the largest county in the United States without a public defender’s office.
Thousands of people charged with crimes here rely on overwhelmed, court-appointed counsel. The JRF Criminal Defense Clinic is our direct response — supporting clients in Tarrant County and surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth communities that lack the same resources.
Who We Serve
The Justice Reform Foundation Criminal Defense Clinic at Texas A&M University School of Law gives indigent defendants in Tarrant County something they rarely get: a full team of dedicated lawyers fighting for them at no cost.
Now in its third semester, the clinic trains 3L law students in real-world criminal defense under the supervision of Director Jemila Lea — while securing life-changing outcomes for clients who would otherwise be pushed toward plea deals they didn’t deserve.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees every person charged with a crime the right to effective counsel — but for thousands in Tarrant County, that right is inaccessible. JRF is funding the clinic’s staff attorney — our Practitioner-in-Residence — for at least three years, so the work continues through every class of law students we train.
Recent Case Wins
Charges Dismissed. Expungement Ahead.
After two semesters of work, our students secured the dismissal of all charges against a Tarrant County client. They litigated pre-trial motions, won court approval for an investigator, and prepared for trial. On the eve of trial, the prosecution dismissed the case.
April 2026
Outstanding Warrant Resolved
Madison Gutzman and Ayeisha Bailey resolved an outstanding warrant for a federal prisoner referred by the Justice Project. Featured on the Texas A&M Law blog →
September 2025
A Second Chance At Housing
Students won release of a client without a criminal trespass conviction — the exact outcome needed for him to keep his spot in permanent supportive housing.
Fall 2025
Protecting a Trafficking Victim
Students represented a non-English-speaking client who was a likely victim of sexual human trafficking, coordinating with the law school’s new Immigration Clinic.
Fall 2025
Pre-Trial Motions & Ongoing Advocacy
Students regularly litigate pre-trial hearings, motions to suppress, and advocate for correct application of Texas law on court costs and evidentiary issues.
Ongoing
I assigned the students to submit mid-semester reflections. It was incredibly rewarding to read through all of them — to see the students blossom into their skills and confidence in working to represent individuals in Tarrant County accused of misdemeanor offenses that cannot otherwise afford legal representation.
— Jemila Lea, J.D. · Clinic Director
Meet the Director
Jemila Lea, J.D.
JRF Practitioner-in-Residence · Director, Texas A&M Criminal Defense Clinic
Jemila leads the clinic day-to-day, supervises every student case, and mentors the next generation of criminal defense attorneys. Based in Fort Worth at 1515 Commerce Street, she and her students serve clients throughout Tarrant County.
Why This Matters
A 2026 TCU 360 feature on indigent defense in Tarrant County detailed the continued crisis of underfunded and overwhelmed court-appointed counsel. The CD Clinic is JRF’s direct response — giving one client at a time the kind of legal team wealthy defendants take for granted.
The JRF Expungement Program
Our Practitioner-in-Residence also leads the Clean Slate work — helping Texans seal or expunge qualifying records so a past charge doesn’t block jobs, housing, or stability. Developed in alignment with the Texas Clean Slate Coalition.
Learn About the Expungement Program
This is more than a partnership — it’s a movement to make the Sixth Amendment real for every Texan.
Get Involved
Whether you need help, want to support the clinic, or are a law student interested in joining, we’d love to hear from you.
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