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Randall County approves line-item transfer to hire evidence reviewers after court ruling highlighted disclosure risks
Summary
The county approved a transfer to create evidence-review positions in the District Attorney's office to manage growing digital evidence and ensure compliance with the Michael Morton Act after a recent Court of Criminal Appeals decision excluded evidence in another jurisdiction.
Randall County Commissioners approved a line-item transfer Feb. 11 to fund evidence-review positions for the District Attorney's office, citing the growing volume of digital evidence and a recent Court of Criminal Appeals interpretation of the Michael Morton Act.
The district attorney (introduced as Amy) explained that digital evidence now includes body-worn camera footage, in-car video, jail surveillance and private video, producing large volumes of material that can overwhelm attorneys and cause human error in disclosure. The DA told commissioners that a recent misdemeanor prosecution in another jurisdiction led the Court of Criminal Appeals to conclude the state had not disclosed evidence "as soon as practicable," resulting in exclusion of that evidence at trial. Amy said the office needs dedicated staff to review incoming cases and ensure required disclosures are timely; the positions were described as evidence investigators or court administrators who will free attorneys to handle litigation work.
Commissioners discussed that the transfer reflects internal salary savings and clarified it will add one position now (with potential for additional hires later as vacancy savings are filled). The court approved the transfer by motion and recorded a 5-0 vote.
