Austin American-Statesman | By Andy Sevilla, Austin Community Newspapers Staff
For the first time since being sworn in 2009, Bastrop County District Court Judge Chris Duggan wore jeans recently while presiding over court cases.
The unconventional fashion decision was part of a fundraising initiative by the Texas Access to Justice Commission, whose mission is to increase access to justice in civil legal matters for low-income residents. The state nonprofit asked judges across the state to wear jeans on April 15 to raise awareness for their mission and donate to their cause.
“If I could bring a little bit of attention to the Texas Access to Justice Commission then it’s something I want to do,” Duggan said of donning jeans on the bench. “It’s one of those things you want people to have – access to justice, access to the court whether they’re rich or poor or otherwise.”.
Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape was also glad to take part in the jeans for justice initiative. “Count me in,” Pape said on Twitter when he heard of the event. “Boots and jeans this Friday. Justice for all.”
For more than 5.6 million Texans who qualify for legal aid, access to justice can mean a roof over their heads, a united family or medical care, the commission says.
The 1963 Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright established the right to free legal representation for defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford a lawyer. But for residents who cannot afford an attorney for civil matters, they must rely on legal aid agencies for help or sometimes represent themselves, Duggan said.
“If you could provide access for civil cases to help them with their situations it’s a good deal,” he said.
In Bastrop County, the Commissioners Court has always provided sufficient funding to appoint attorneys for indigent defendants in criminal cases, Duggan said, adding that funds have also been available for low-income people involved in civil litigation.
“I don’t have funds for every single indigent civil case, but they provide resources,” Duggan said. “The judge wearing jeans and the Commissioners Court’s actions the past seven years, it exemplifies that they want access to justice for everyone.”
And while wearing jeans on the bench on April 15 served a good cause, Duggan said he won’t make a habit of it.
“It felt very different,” he said. “If I’m all casual, I feel like I’m not being respectful. It felt very, very different. I’m not sure I’m going to do it again.”
UPDATE:
We hope @ChrisDuggan12 has started a trend. He has paid to wear jeans for the next 35 Fridays.
TexasATJ: @ChrisDuggan12 Did you know...35 Fridays remain in 2016 x $5 jeans 'fee' = $175. https://donate.texasatj.org
Chris Duggan: @TexasATJ I did not know that! Lol But I did just donate it so now I'm covered!
