ABOUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY

It has been my pleasure to serve the citizens of Somervell County as its County Attorney since January 1, 1993. I have enjoyed being a part of the County Government of this County and have witnessed many changes over these past several years. I would like to think that I have played some minor part in making Glen Rose and Somervell County a better place to live, work and play.

As Texas' second smallest county (in area), and being relatively small in population as well, this office is a "one man" office. My only staff, at this time, consists of my legal secretary/administrative assistant, Mrs. Karen McPherson. Between the two of us, we must handle all of the duties placed upon this office by Texas law.

The county Attorney in Texas' form of Government wears many hats. The office is charged with representing the State in prosecutions of most misdemeanor charges filed against defendants, ranging from Alcohol related offenses, such as Driving While Intoxicated (1st and 2nd offenses) and Making Alcohol Available to A Minor; Drug offenses such as Possession of Marijuana, Possession of A Dangerous Drug, and Possession of A Controlled Substance; Assault offensives, including those involving Family Violence; Theft cases (including theft by check); Harassment, Terrorist Threat, and other offenses committed against the person. The office represents the State in motions to revoke probation and motions to adjudicate in misdemeanor cases. The office is also charged with the responsibility to prosecute juvenile offenders, collect hot checks issued to businesses in the community, represent the State in Child Protective Services cases (in District Court), as well as Adult Protective Services in cases of abuse of the elderly. Occasionally, the County Attorney must be involved in involuntary mental commitments when an individual requires mental health services, but will not voluntarily consent to commitment to a mental health facility.

On the other hand, in non- criminal related work, the County Attorney works with and assists the Commissioners Court in handling the County's business and provides legal advice, as well as document preparation, and assistance to all other elected officials and department heads of the County. In this area, the County Attorney renders legal opinions as to what actions the Commissioners Court or other elected officials may take under the law, and assists them in order to insure that those actions are made in accordance with the law.

Ron Hankins
Somervell County Attorney