HOUSTON, Texas– A federal judge in Texas issued an order on Tuesday halting the implementation of new reporting requirements proposed by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
The rules would have required counties with populations over 400,000 to submit detailed prosecutorial reports.
The injunction affects several counties, including Harris, Dallas, and Bexar. The proposed rules sought to grant the Attorney General’s Office access to detailed case files from these jurisdictions.
The state presented the rules as a means to increase transparency and oversight in prosecutorial practices. However, county prosecutors opposed the rules, stating that the requirements would strain resources and hinder daily operations.
The court placed the rules on hold pending further legal proceedings. The ruling prevents affected counties from having to comply with the reporting requirements while the case proceeds.
The judge’s decision marks a legal setback for the Attorney General’s Office. The broader case challenges the authority of the Attorney General to impose such regulations on local prosecutors.
The court will continue to review the matter as both parties present additional arguments and evidence. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has not yet indicated whether it will appeal or revise the proposed rules.