FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR COURT SERVICES

The CSCD has three felony court officers and three misdemeanor court officers who work closely with the district and county courts-at-law, coordinating a variety of activities and services. Court officers act as liaisons between the court and the department.
 
Judge Suzanne Brooks presides over County Court-at-Law #1, Judge Tim Wright presides over County Court-at-Law #2, and Judge Don Higgenbotham presides over County Court-at-Law #3.  The misdemeanor unit works closely with the county courts-at-law judges, county attorney, and county clerk. Officers and staff coordinate a variety of activities, including the review of criminal histories and a substance use and abuse history.  Staff also develops and makes recommendations for additional conditions of supervision and supervision plans.
 
FY'04 showed a 21% decrease in overall misdemeanor case placements from FY'03. County court cases decreased by 26% and there was a 6% increase in transfer-in cases in FY'04. The following table compares misdemeanor court cases from fiscal years ’00- ’04:

Misdemeanor Court Services
Fiscal Years '00 - '04  

FY'00

FY'01

FY'02

FY'03
FY'04

County Court Cases

1,818

1,772

1,499
1,860
1,376

Transfer-In Cases

218

305

294
345
366

Total Gained

2,036

2,077

1,793
2,205
1,742

Average Caseload Size

3,233

3,324

3,067
3,009
2,993

Williamson County has four district courts, served by Judge Ken Anderson, 277th Judicial District Court; Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield, 26th Judicial District Court; Judge Burt Carnes, 368th Judicial District Court;  and Judge Michael Jergins, 395th Judicial District Court.

Felony court officers represent the department in the district courts and respond to supervision related requests by the judges, including early termination requests and intermediate sanctions for supervision violators. Officers interview offenders, prepare offenders to go to court, submit recommendations to the district attorney’s office, and represent the department during revocation hearings.

There was a 5% decrease in overall felony case placements in FY ’04. District Court placements decreased by 18% and there was a 16% increase in transfer-in cases in FY ’04. The following table compares District Court cases from fiscal years '00 - '04:

Felony Court Services
Fiscal Years '00 - '04

 

FY'00

FY'01

FY’02
FY'03
FY'04
District Court Cases

428

426

440

457 376
Transfer-In Cases

245

212

211

260 302
Total Gained

673

638

651

717 678
Average Caseload Size

2,268

2,269

2,359

2,394 2,351
 
TOP