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County
and
District
Officials
Responsibilities
Effective enforcement of the law requires the sure-handed expertise of a knowledgeable prosecutor. The main duties of the county and/or district attorney is to represent the state in criminal cases. The county and/or district attorney works with law enforcement officers in the investigation and preparation of cases to be heard before the criminal courts. When requested in writing, the county attorney provides legal counsel to county officers. The overwhelming importance of the office of public prosecutors arises from the fact that upon the prosecuting attorney rests the power of determining whether prosecution in any given case shall be inaugurated or, if inaugurated, pushed to a successful conclusion. Other duties include prosecution of juvenile offenders, representation of victims of violence in protective orders and representing the Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory services in removing children from abusive households.
The county auditor maintains the integrity of financial administration of county government. The county auditor's primary duty is to over see financial record-keeping for the county and to assure that all expenditures comply with the county budget. The county auditor, by law, has continuous access to all books and financial records and conducts detailed reviews of all county financial operations. The office of county auditor is neither created by nor under the hierarchical control of the administrative body - the commissioners court. While commissioners court is the budgeting body in county government, both the county auditor and commissioners court are required, by law, to approve or reject claims for disbursement of county funds. The integrity of county financial administration is entrusted to a dual control system of "checks and balances." The county auditor has general oversight of all the books and records of all county officials and is charged with strictly enforcing laws governing county finances.
Without county clerks, many of government's underlying responsibilities would go undone. The main duties of the county clerk are: 1.) Administering all county and state elections, including early voting and primaries, unless the commissioners court has transferred the function to the tax assessor-collector or an office of county election administrator; 2.) Serving as clerk of the county court and the commissioners court and keep records of the proceedings; 3.) Acting as recorder of deeds and other instruments; 4.) Filing and recording birth and death certificates; 5.) Recording assumed names, wills and probate; 6.) Issuing marriage licenses; and 7.) Accounting for all funds paid to the office by way of fines and fees, and the amount owed to county court jurors for service. In Texas counties with a population of less than 8,000, unless there has been a special election, the county clerk also serves as the district clerk, assuming all constitutional and statutory duties of the district clerk, along with those of county clerk.
The job of the county commissioner calls for hands-on service delivery as well as policy-making budget decisions. Four commissioners, each elected from a quarter of the county's population, serve along with the county judge on the commissioners court. In addition to assuring that county roads are maintained, commissioners vote with the county judge to set the budget for all county departments and adopt a tax rate. Among other responsibilities, the commissioners court: 1.) Sets the yearly property tax rate and approves the budget and employment level for the county; 2.) Sets commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries; 3.) Calls, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections; 4.) Sets employment and benefit policy; 5.) Establishes long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and law enforcement/jail needs plans; 6.) Acquires property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in the public's best interest; 7.) Reviews and approve subdivision platting and wastewater treatment for rural areas; 8.) Provides rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection; 9.) Oversees the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads and bridges; 10.) Appoints non-elected department heads and standing committees; 11.) Supervises and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and facilities; 12.) Adopts a county budget; 13.) Determines county tax rates; 14.) Fills vacancies in elective and appointive positions; and 15.) Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the county.
These peace officers are the first link in the county's chain of law enforcement. Along with their deputies, constables have all the enforcement powers of Texas peace officers. They are sometimes referred to as the executive officer of the justice of the peace courts. Their duties are to: 1.) Subpoena witnesses, 2.) Act as bailiff, 3.) Execute judgments; and 4.) Service of process. In large metropolitan counties the constable may also assist the county and district courts. In addition, they may perform patrol functions and make criminal investigations. They are involved in the overall effort to reduce the effects of crime in their communities, including in some cases the operation of truancy programs.
The Texas Constitution vests broad
judicial and administrative powers in the position of county judge, who
presides over a five-member commissioners court, which has budgetary and
administrative authority over county government operations.
The justice of the peace is the legal
jurisdiction closest to the average citizen.
Long respected as the county's top lawman,
the sheriff has a range of duties that include criminal investigations,
traffic enforcement, operation of the jail and other responsibilities.
Because of the wide range of
responsibilities performed by the assessor-collector, most citizens deal
with this county official more frequently than any other office.
The county treasurer is the county's
banker.
District Attorney - 220th District
Effective enforcement of the law requires the sure-handed expertise of a knowledgeable prosecutor. The main duties of the county and/or district attorney is to represent the state in criminal cases. The county and/or district attorney works with law enforcement officers in the investigation and preparation of cases to be heard before the criminal courts. When requested in writing, the county attorney provides legal counsel to county officers. The overwhelming importance of the office of public prosecutors arises from the fact that upon the prosecuting attorney rests the power of determining whether prosecution in any given case shall be inaugurated or, if inaugurated, pushed to a successful conclusion. Other duties include prosecution of juvenile offenders, representation of victims of violence in protective orders and representing the Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory services in removing children from abusive households. District Clerk - 220th District
The District Clerk serves as the recorder, registrar and custodian of court pleadings, instruments or other papers that are part of any District Court civil or criminal case.
District Court Administrator - 220th District
The primary duties of this position are to manage, direct, supervise, coordinate, and plan the operations of all courts and to assist the judiciary in making certain decisions except in those judicial decisions required by law to be made by judges. Specific duties include jury, docket and trial management as well as filing any reports and records as required by the court.
District
Judge
-
220th
District
The
District
Judge
presides
over
the
220th
Judicial
District
Court,
which
is
comprised
of
Bosque,
Hamilton
and
Comanche
Counties.
District Court Reporter - 220th District
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