The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio hired 23 new prosecutors this week to address a felony case backlog of 3,735 cases.
The office announced the hires to increase attorney staffing for felony prosecutions in state district courts. Officials said the new prosecutors will handle pending felony cases involving violent crime, property crime, drug offenses, and other charges filed in Bexar County.
The office said the backlog includes cases filed but not yet resolved through plea agreements, dismissals, diversion programs, or trials. Many cases accumulated during periods when courts operated with reduced capacity.
The new prosecutors will receive assignments across multiple felony courts to distribute caseloads. The group includes experienced attorneys and recent law school graduates who met state licensing requirements.
The office said training will cover policies, case management, evidence handling, and ethical rules. The new prosecutors will begin reviewing cases involving defendants in jail and those released on bond.
Priority will go to cases involving violence, including homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, and family violence. Prosecutors will coordinate with law enforcement to obtain reports, video, witness statements, and other evidence.
Officials said the additional staffing may increase the number of cases set for trial in the coming months. The new attorneys will work with court coordinators and judges to schedule hearings, conferences, and trial dates.
The backlog includes older and newer cases, some of which require forensic testing or expert review. Prosecutors will also review cases for possible plea negotiations under Texas law and office guidelines.
The office said decisions will consider criminal histories, offense details, victim input, and available evidence. The goal is to reduce the number of unresolved cases and shorten the time between filing and final disposition.
Officials said they will monitor the impact of the new hires and track cases closed each month. The backlog figure may change as new cases are filed and others are resolved.
The 23 prosecutors are now on staff and assigned to units that handle different felony categories. They will begin appearing in court as they complete orientation and receive case files.
The office said updated felony case numbers will be released as data becomes available.