Jim Kuboviak, recently retired Brazos County Attorney, was named the State Bar of Texas Prosecutor of the Year.
Kuboviak was honored for his longtime service (he was the Brazos County Attorney for 24 years before retiring in 2008) and pioneering the use of video cameras in police cars, which changed the way law enforcement conducts traffic and other investigations across the state.
“Videotaping criminal suspects during the actual commission of crimes has made the greatest impact ever on prosecuting such offenses,” says Rod Anderson, current Brazos County Attorney and former First Assistant County Attorney under Kuboviak. “It places the judge or jury right there at the scene of the crime as it’s being committed. Much like DNA in homicides and sexual-related offenses, in-car videos serve to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent.” Such videos are especially helpful in driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrests and as a training tool for other police officers.
Additionally, Kuboviak is an enthusiastic speaker for TDCAA, traveling the state to deliver impassioned training in his trademark deep voice. “Jim tirelessly trains law enforcement and prosecutors on the effective use of in-car video and other techniques for catching intoxicated drivers,” says Rob Kepple, TDCAA’s Executive Director. “That’s true leadership.”
“Very few people get to live their dreams,” Kuboviak says, “but I was one of the lucky ones because I was able to be a prosecutor my entire legal career. I am both honored and humbled to receive recognition and appreciation by my peer group.”
Each year the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar selects its jurist, criminal defense attorney, and prosecutor of the year. The prosecutor of the year is nominated by TDCAA’s nominations committee, approved by TDCAA’s board of directors, and presented by tradition at the prosecutors’ annual conference every September. ✤