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Bill

HB 4006

Relating to the suspension and removal from office of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney of a political subdivision of this state.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brent Money

Texas bill establishes state-level procedures to suspend or remove elected district attorneys and county attorneys from office, shifting removal authority from local voters to state mechanisms.

Referred to State Affairs
#courts--district(i0120) #courts--judges(i0140) #courts--prosecutingattorneys(i0165) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #criminalprocedure--trial(i0204) #evidence(s0250) #governor(i0375)
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Bill Summary · HB 4006

Legislative bill overview

HB 4006 establishes procedures for suspending and removing district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, and county attorneys in Texas from their elected positions. The bill creates a formal mechanism—likely through the state government rather than local processes—to address prosecutorial misconduct or performance issues at the county level.

Why is this important

District attorneys hold significant power over criminal prosecutions and sentencing decisions affecting thousands of citizens annually. Currently, removing an elected prosecutor typically requires local recall elections or impeachment, which can be difficult and time-consuming. This bill would provide an alternative state-level removal pathway, potentially allowing faster action in cases of documented misconduct or abuse of office.

Potential points of contention

  • Local vs. state authority: Creates tension between local electoral control (voters elect DAs) and state power to remove them, raising questions about democratic accountability and federalism principles within Texas
  • "Cause" definition: The criteria triggering suspension/removal are unclear without seeing the bill text—vague standards could enable political removal of prosecutors for policy disagreements rather than genuine misconduct
  • Prosecutor independence: DAs may argue that removal threats could pressure them to avoid controversial but legally sound prosecutions, compromising investigative independence and charging decisions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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