Texas CORE 101
Spring 2025
The Texas Future Indigent Defense Leaders (FIDL) program is an innovative partnership between Gideon’s Promise, the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. This three-year program begins with a two-week CORE 101 new defender training, which will be taught in three segments: the ethics and professionalism of public defense, pretrial practice and trial preparation, and trial advocacy and persuasion.
FIDL mentees become part of an exclusive statewide team dedicated to zealous representation.

Protecting This Promise
You don't have to be a public defender to protect the promise of zealous counsel for all. Your monthly contribution--no matter the amount--will directly impact the fate of a defendant who didn't know they needed you.