Ashley De La Garza joins the Texas Indigent Defense Commission as a Policy Analyst. Before joining TIDC, Ashley served as a public defender with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. As a public defender, Ashley defended hundreds of individuals in felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases in rural counties.  At Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, she played a pivotal role in establishing key infrastructures during the expansion of the public defender program in Atascosa, Frio, Wilson and Karnes counties. Additionally, she later served as First Assistant to TRLA’s Operation Lonestar Team.

Ashley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, with a focus on crime, law and deviance, from Texas A&M University. After undergrad, she returned to her hometown and earned her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Ashley continues to expand on her past experiences and education to ensure that all indigent clients receive high quality representation.