Henderson County court backs resolution urging state law to preserve local judicial case assignment preference

Henderson County Commissioners Court members on a unanimous vote approved a resolution supporting state legislation that would codify a local practice giving preference to where certain civil and criminal cases are heard.

County officials described the measure as a way to keep continuity in case assignments across multiple courthouse buildings. The court’s discussion said the local practice concentrates criminal matters in one building and civil matters in another to streamline court operations.

“What is before us here is a resolution to support legislation that is being carried in the house and senate to make what is done locally preference in law,” the County Judge said, describing the proposal as a continuation of current practice. The judge added that the word “preference” does not prohibit a court from hearing another type of case, only that it would show local intent about assignment.

County Attorney Cannon told the court the two presiding judges had previously agreed to divide case types between their dockets and that the proposed legislation would recognize that local arrangement. The court also noted Representative Keith Bell is expected to carry the bill in the state House.

Commissioner McCamp moved to approve the resolution, Commissioner Richardson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Court members did not provide a formal vote tally in the minutes; the transcript records the motion as passing unanimously. No statutory citations or bill numbers were given in the meeting record.