Judge Blocks Texas AG’s “Troubling” Rule Requiring DA Data
A Travis County district judge, Catherine Mauzy, has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing a new rule that would require local prosecutors in Texas’ largest counties to hand over internal criminal case data.
The order comes in response to legal challenges from several district attorneys who argue that the rule is unconstitutional and undermines prosecutorial independence. Judge Mauzy described the rule as “troubling at best” and stated it is “unnecessarily onerous” and violates the state’s separation of powers.
Prosecutors Push Back Against Paxton’s Overreach
The rule targeted district and county attorneys in counties with populations of 400,000 or more—including Bexar, Travis, Dallas, and Harris. Paxton’s office claimed the requirement was needed to hold “rogue DAs” accountable and ensure they’re properly prosecuting crimes.
Local prosecutors, however, sharply disagreed.
Bexar County DA Joe Gonzales said the ruling “helps preserve prosecutorial discretion, which is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system,” and called the original rule “a clear overreach of authority.”
Dallas County DA John Creuzot said complying with the rule would have been “a logistical and operational nightmare” and applauded the judge for upholding constitutional protections.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee described the move as “nothing more than a power grab for the attorney” and warned that Paxton was attempting to intimidate prosecutors to score political points.
What Happens Next?
With the temporary restraining order in place, the affected DAs are no longer required to submit the reports or records Paxton sought—at least for now. A final ruling on the legality of the rule will come after further court hearings, and Paxton’s office is expected to consider appealing the judge’s decision.
