Governor Abbott Joins Burrows And Patrick To Call Out Soft On Crime Local Prosecutors - News Radio 1200 WOAI

Burrows represents Lubbock in the Texas House. He joined Abbott and Patrick in criticizing what they described as "rogue prosecutors" who drop murder charges or let repeat offenders out on bail. Abbott said in the release that "prosecutors must enforce Texas law and keep violent criminals behind bars," adding that when charges get dismissed or offenders walk free, "innocent Texans pay the price." Burrows backed that message, pointing to cases where he says murderers get released through what he called catch-and-release policies.

The release doesn't name specific prosecutors or specific Lubbock cases, but Burrows' involvement puts a local face on a statewide push. For people here, the statement signals that state leadership wants more say over how district attorneys handle violent crime cases, especially bail decisions and charge dismissals.

If this turns into legislation or formal oversight, it could reshape how much discretion local prosecutors have when deciding which charges to pursue and who gets released pending trial. That fight over local control versus state mandates tends to land hardest on the district attorneys actually running the courtrooms, not the officials holding the press conference in Austin.