Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bills 20 & 21 – Removing District Attorneys & Judges Who Refuse to Follow Texas Law

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the Texas Senate’s bipartisan passage of Senate Bills 20 and 21, Removing District Attorneys & Judges Who Refuse to Follow Texas Law, both by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston:

“Texans unapologetically believe in the rule of law and expect their judges and district attorneys to follow Texas law. SB 20 and SB 21 are two of my top priorities this session because it is unacceptable that rogue district attorneys and judges, primarily in big cities, are not following our laws. These bills send a clear message that their delinquent behavior will not be tolerated.”

SB 20, by Sen. Joan Huffman, prohibits district or county attorneys with criminal jurisdiction from refusing to prosecute any type of criminal offense. SB 20 also provides that a policy of non-prosecution constitutes official misconduct and is grounds for removal.

SB 21, by Sen. Joan Huffman, clarifies that a judge’s “persistent or willful violation” of the law for setting bail is grounds for removal.