Victoria County, along with Jackson, Lavaca, and Refugio counties, are setting up a new public defender office. The first step was to pass an agreement allowing these counties to use the program. The next steps include appointing an oversight board and hiring a chief public defender who will recruit 25 staff members. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission is funding most of the costs. The office will be in the old fire station downtown Victoria, which is being renovated. Victoria will pay the most as it has the majority of the cases.