A new state law could lead to the firing of elected prosecutors who refuse to take on certain crimes like low-level pot offenses. Supporters of the law say these “rogue” prosecutors should be thrown out of office. Opponents say the law makes it difficult to effectively do the jobs prosecutors were elected to do. There […]
District Attorney
The District Attorney’s office prosecutes felony and juvenile offenders in Travis County. The current District Attorney is Rosemary Lehmberg.
Posted inCourts
Hays County district clerk sues district attorney for ‘neglect of his duties’
The Hays County district clerk is suing District Attorney Kelly Higgins and asking that he be removed from office. Avrey Anderson claims Higgins demonstrated “intentional, corrupt failure and neglect of his duties” by refusing to prosecute cases of simple drug possession and low-level marijuana offenses, and where doctors have illegally treated transgender patients or performed abortions. “Allowing him […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County launched a program to provide lawyers at the county jail. It lasted nine days.
A pilot program to provide legal representation to people in custody at the Travis County Jail had to be put on hold after just nine days because of staffing shortages. The grant-funded program was part of a Texas A&M study to examine the benefit of providing legal counsel to people accused of crimes immediately after their arrest […]
Posted inPolice
How the Travis County DA’s race could affect police use-of-force cases
One race tucked into the crowded ballots that Travis County voters are seeing this election could have a substantial effect on police use-of-force cases. From the death of Eric Garner in New York to the death of David Joseph here in Austin, the majority of these cases share a coda: Local prosecutors fail to bring […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Democratic DA pick talks cross-party maneuver
The Democratic nominee for Travis County district attorney is vigorously defending her decision to offer a Republican judge potential control of the office’s embattled Public Integrity Unit. Margaret Moore told the Austin Monitor that she is convinced that 450th District Court Judge Don Clemmer, regardless of his party affiliation, “is an outstanding person” and a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Travis County
Commissioners keep parking garage plans alive
Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to keep the three new levels of underground parking that had been designed to accompany the planned district attorney’s office in downtown Austin. The decision to approve the proposed $3.05 million garage beneath the future Ronnie Earle Building came just before lunch during Tuesday’s voting session. It was an epilogue of sorts to […]
Posted inLocal Government, Travis County, Uncategorized
Travis Commissioners settle DA building drama
Travis County Commissioners Court settled the final act Tuesday in a lengthy drama surrounding a proposed new district attorney’s office building. In a 3-2 vote, the commissioners gave the green light to a moderately revised version of the Ronnie Earle Office Building. Named after the longtime district attorney who served for more than three decades, […]
Posted inCourts, Travis County
Commissioners nearly boot plans for DA’s office
Travis County Commissioners came dangerously close Tuesday to scrapping plans to build a new office tower for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. The clash between two county agencies over cost almost ended the project when Commissioner Gerald Daugherty seconded a motion by Commissioner Brigid Shea to pull the plug on the plan altogether. After […]
Posted inLocal Government, Public Safety, Travis County
Prosecutors ask for extra staff to meet regulations
Told by the County Attorney David Escamilla and District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg that Travis County’s judicial system is in a crisis, County Commissioners Tuesday approved advertising for additional paralegals to help prosecutors comply with the Michael Morton Act. The Michael Morton Act, passed during the last legislative session, mandates that prosecutors share all evidence in […]