Texas House Bill HB3807

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of the office of criminal district attorney of Cooke County, the abolition of the office of county attorney in Cooke County, the application of the professional prosecutors law to the district attorney for the 235th Judicial District, and the compensation of a county auditor in certain counties.

Impact

The passage of HB 3807 will alter existing legal frameworks by shifting prosecutorial responsibilities from a county attorney to a criminal district attorney specifically for Cooke County. The criminal district attorney will be elected for a four-year term and will have exclusive jurisdiction over criminal matters in both district and county courts. This change may lead to a more centralized and streamlined approach to criminal prosecutions, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of legal proceedings in the county.

Summary

House Bill 3807 seeks to reform the legal structure within Cooke County by establishing a new office of criminal district attorney. This bill proposes the abolition of the existing county attorney's office in Cooke County and instead creates a directly elected criminal district attorney who will handle all criminal matters within the district. The introduction of this office is aimed at improving the management of criminal prosecutions by ensuring that the person in charge is solely focused on criminal cases, thereby increasing efficiency in the criminal justice system.

Contention

While the bill presents an organized structure for criminal prosecution, there are potential points of contention regarding the implications of abolishing the county attorney's office. Critics may argue that changing the prosecutorial structure could lead to gaps in legal representation for civil matters. Additionally, there may be concerns about the qualifications and selections of appointed assistants and the influence of the Commissioners Court over the criminal district attorney’s office. Concerns may also arise regarding the adequacy of funding and resources needed to support the new office effectively.