Jefferson County’s criminal district attorney must attend specified criminal court sessions, represent the state there, represent the county when it has pending business, and collect certain fees; the county and district attorney also have defined payment and entitlement rules.
Sec. 44.223. JEFFERSON COUNTY. (a) The criminal district attorney of Jefferson County shall attend each term and session of the district courts in Jefferson County and each term and session of the inferior courts of the county, except municipal courts, held for the transaction of criminal business, and shall exclusively represent the state in all matters before those courts. He shall represent Jefferson County in any court in which the county has pending business. (b) The criminal district attorney has all the powers, duties, and privileges in Jefferson County that are conferred by law on county and district attorneys in the various counties and districts. (c) The criminal district attorney shall collect the fees, commissions, and perquisites that are provided by law for similar services rendered by a district or county attorney. (d) Jefferson County is entitled to receive annually from the state an amount equal to the compensation paid by the state to prosecutors subject to Chapter 46. The compensation from the state shall be paid into the salary fund of the county in equal monthly installments. The criminal district attorney is entitled to receive as compensation an amount at least equal to the amount paid to the county by the state under this subsection. The criminal district attorney is not entitled to receive a salary under Section 46.003(a), but is entitled to supplemental compensation under Section 46.003(b) and expenses under Section 46.004. (e) Jefferson County is not entitled to the benefits of Subchapter C, Chapter 41, in addition to the state compensation provided by Subsection (d). Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 733, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.