Where’s My Lawyer? A Spatial Analysis of Criminal Attorneys in Texas

• In Event: Data in Indigent Defense: Evidence-based Evaluation of Public Defense

Abstract

Utilizing data on over 15,000 criminal lawyers in Texas, we employ spatial analysis techniques to infer patterns, concentrations, and disparities in the availability of criminal defense representation. Our analyses reveal significant clustering of attorneys in urban centers such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, reflecting a common urban bias in the distribution of professional services. This concentration in metropolitan areas suggests greater accessibility of criminal defense representation for urban populations compared to rural areas, where attorneys are sparsely distributed. The findings highlight a rural-urban divide, raising questions about access to justice and the availability of legal representation in less populated areas. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to address the uneven distribution of legal professionals and to improve access to criminal defense representation across Texas. Our research contributes to the broader discussion on the spatial aspects of legal service accessibility and offers insights for policymakers, legal professionals, and researchers interested in the equitable distribution of legal services.

Author

• Teng Zhang, Southern Methodist University