Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) touted a new bill that will target “rogue” left-wing district attorneys who refuse to prosecute certain crimes.
In a tweet, Abbott referred to House Bill 17, which allows the removal of county or district attorneys if they refuse to prosecute certain crimes. The bill was enacted primarily out of fear of attorneys declining to enforce laws regarding abortion restrictions, but it also comes amid a trend of left-wing district attorneys refusing to prosecute other lower-level crimes such as drug possession or theft.
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“A new law I signed will help reign in rogue district attorneys,” Abbott tweeted. “Those who want to work in Texas law enforcement must uphold the laws and protect Texans. If not, they will be held accountable.”
A new law I signed will help reign in rogue district attorneys.
Those who want to work in Texas law enforcement must uphold the laws and protect Texans.
If not, they will be held accountable.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 19, 2023
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HB 17 allows petitioners to file a motion to dismiss a district or county attorney if they are suspected of not enforcing the law, at which point the attorney in question would face a trial by jury. Public statements expressing refusal to enforce the law are grounds for dismissal.
“A public declaration or announcement by a district attorney or a county attorney of an intent to prohibit the enforcement of any criminal offense is prima facie evidence of an adoption or implementation of a formal or stated policy for purposes of this chapter,” the bill reads.
