DISTRICT ATTORNEY
GENERAL INFORMATION
Department
Description:
-
Duties of the
Matagorda County District Attorney include:
- investigation and prosecution of all capital, felony, misdemeanor, and
juvenile offenses in the 23rd and 130th
Judicial District Courts, Matagorda County Court, and all Justice Courts of
Matagorda County;
- presentation of cases to the Grand Jury; and
- filing and trial of civil forfeiture cases.
This department provides legal guidance &
training in all areas of criminal law to law enforcement agencies operating in
Matagorda County. The department also provides statutory guidance and
assistance to victims of violent crime. The District Attorney is elected to a
four year term of office. -
Department
Objectives:
To provide the highest quality
prosecutorial representation to the people of Matagorda County and provide
assistance to law enforcement agencies to enhance county-wide criminal
investigation. -
Department
Statistics:
U In excess of 400 felony cases reviewed and
disposed annually
U In excess of 1400 misdemeanor cases reviewed
and disposed annually
U20 felony trial settings per year
U12 misdemeanor trial settings per year
U12 grand jury settings per year
U12 juvenile adjudication settings per
year
UIn excess of 80 hours continuing legal, law
enforcement and professional education per year
OVERVIEW OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
The Matagorda County District Attorney' Office represents the State of Texas
in all criminal cases that arise anywhere in Matagorda County. The only
exceptions are low grade misdemeanors filed in the Municipal Courts of Bay City
and Palacios. Local Police Departments and the Sheriff's Department are the
agencies that routinely investigate reports of criminal conduct. Criminal cases
are then filed in Justice of the Peace Courts, County Courts and District Courts
in Matagorda County. Once a case has been filed, prosecutors from the District
Attorney's Office appear in these courts to represent the State of Texas and the
victim of the crime.
The duty of the prosecutor is to see that justice is achieved in the case.
Prosecutors also assist police agencies on the legal aspects of criminal
investigations and present evidence to county grand juries in felony cases. A
prosecutor is assigned to the case from the time it is filed in court until it
is disposed of by plea of guilty, trial or dismissal. The District Attorney's
Office will continue to oversee handling of the case if it is appealed to a
higher court.
The chief prosecutor in Matagorda County is the elected District Attorney,
Steven E. Reis. Two Assistant District Attorneys help the District Attorney
handle these cases. One District Attorney Investigator assists the prosecutors
with their cases. These prosecutors and investigator are backed up by support
staff members. The District Attorney's Office is informally divided into various
sections. Each section has distinct responsibilities.
FELONY SECTION -
(979) 244-7657 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Prosecutes felony cases (i.e. murder, robbery sexual assault...) where a
defendant could be sent to prison or State Jail. The two District Courts
(23rd and 130th) have jurisdiction over felony cases.
MISDEMEANOR SECTION - (979) 244-7657 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Prosecutes misdemeanor cases (i.e. DWI, assault causing bodily injury...)
where a defendant could be sentenced to time in the county jail. The County has
jurisdiction over misdemeanor matters.
JUVENILE LAW SECTION - (979) 244-7657 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Prosecutes all juvenile cases.
WORTHLESS CHECK SECTION - (979) 244-7657 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Prosecutes insufficient fund or account closed check cases.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE SECTION - (979) 244-7657 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Assists crime victims with questions regarding case settings, victims' rights
issues, and victim compensation claims.
GRAND JURY SECTION - (979) 244-7657 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Presents all felony cases to Matagorda County grand juries.
INVESTIGATOR SECTION - (979) 244-7652 or (979) 245-9409 (fax)
Investigators assist prosecutors in the preparation of cases for trial. Also
assists law enforcement agencies with case investigations as requested.
The members of the District Attorney's Office are public servants. Their
job is to effectively and responsibly prosecute criminal offenses committed in
Matagorda County. If you have any questions about a case or the criminal justice
system, please feel free to call on us. Thank you,
STEVEN E. REIS
District Attorney |
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