Paxton's proposed new rule would require more reporting by County & District Attorneys who're dodging statistics
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has published a new proposed rule to enhance reporting requirements for District Attorneys and County Attorneys presiding over a county with a population of 250,000 or more.
 “District Attorneys who choose not to prosecute criminals appropriately have created unthinkable damage in Texas Communities.
"Some have developed an unacceptable pattern – failing to uphold the law and adopting policies that privilege criminals over innocent victims,” said Attorney General Paxton.
The proposal would require additional quarterly and annual reports and establish official definitions for terms such as “violent crime.”
“These enhanced reporting standards will create much-needed transparency and enable the public to hold their elected officials accountable.”
The rule would further provide a process for attaining any overdue reports and outline consequences if a District Attorney intentionally sought to violate the enhanced reporting requirements.
Texas Government Code §46.006 permits the OAG to require reports from District Attorneys and County Attorneys relating to criminal matters that are in the interest of the state. The information collected under the proposed rule will assist citizens in determining whether their local elected officials are inadequately prosecuting certain categories of crime, releasing dangerous criminals back into the community, engaging in selective prosecution, or otherwise failing to uphold their obligations.
A public comment period of thirty days went into effect on March 8.
After the comment period ends, the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) can enact a Final Rule.
- To read the Paxton's entire proposed rule, click here
|
