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AUSTIN - State Representative Larry Phillips today announced his intention to file legislation to change the name of the office of the prosecuting attorney in Grayson County from the Grayson County Attorney to the Grayson County Criminal District Attorney. As the office is created by state law, the name change would require a vote of the entire Texas legislature.
"The main reason this needs to be done is to clear up confusion over the office's jurisdiction," said Phillips. "Grayson County is one of very few in Texas who have a County Attorney with felony jurisdiction. Most people think of the felony prosecutor to be the District Attorney. I know that not only the public, but other law enforcement agencies and public officials outside Grayson County are sometimes confused and question what jurisdiction our County Attorney really has."
Currently 27 out of 254 Texas counties have felony prosecutors designated as County Attorneys. In recent legislative sessions, several other Texas counties have changed the name of their prosecutor's office to Criminal District Attorney.
Fifty-four Texas counties have abolished the offices of County Attorney and/or District Attorney and created the office of Criminal District Attorney. The enabling legislation, Chapter 44 of the Texas Government Code, currently reserves section 44.191 for the creation of the office of the Grayson County Criminal District Attorney.
If passed, the legislation would create the office of the Grayson County Criminal District Attorney effective January 1, 2005. At the same time, the office of the Grayson County Attorney would be abolished. According to Grayson County, the cost of the name change to the county would be minimal, consisting mainly of changing the name of the office on courthouse signs.
Representative Phillips encourages feedback on this issue. You can contact him by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.