By Erleigh Wiley
TDCAA Board President & Criminal District Attorney in Kaufman County
As I look back on my year as Board President of the Texas District & County Attorneys Association (TDCAA), I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and pride. When I started this position at the beginning of 2024, I didn’t know what the journey would entail. For me, the presidency has been transformative. I had the opportunity to better understand and appreciate why I wanted to be a prosecutor through the eyes of the amazing members of TDCAA. I also got an opportunity to see a well-run and healthy organization up close as we navigated the different opportunities throughout this year of my presidency. From Board meetings, trainings, and conferences, I have worked with the staff and trainers and met so many members—I am honored and humbled to serve alongside such a caliber of professionals.
This year the profession of prosecution faced challenges but succeeded in guiding our membership through them. To name a few, we worked through the implementation of HB 17, enacted by the 88th Legislature, which added grounds for removal; the State Bar of Texas (SBOT) advocating for additional ethical responsibilities only for prosecutors through Rule 3.09; and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) promulgating additional administrative responsibilities to prosecutor offices in counties of certain sizes within our state.
Though these entities (the legislature, SBOT, and OAG) may be well-meaning in bringing about better prosecution in Texas, I have found, as an elected prosecutor, an increase in the politicization of prosecution in the last several years and have felt it more acutely in my role as the President of TDCAA. I have seen firsthand how others are affected in the profession. This includes the electeds, assistants, investigators, and support staff, and it does concern me for the future of prosecution. Most county and district attorney’s offices throughout the state and nation have had problems recruiting and retaining prosecu- tors. There are many reasons for that, but I cannot help but believe that this changing environment for prosecutors is one of the factors.
So as we move forward into this new world, I would like for old and new prosecutors in our profession to understand that there may seem to be attacks from others, but we must remember that our goal is to see justice done and serve the citizens of Texas. We will face the new challenges head-on, celebrate the victories in our counties, and foster prosecutor offices that will be celebrated in our counties and communities. Your passion and dedication will propel the profession of prosecution to new heights, and I can’t wait to see what you all achieve next.
As I step down as President, I carry with me countless memories and special friendships forged through our shared experiences from this year. I am excited for the road ahead for this organization and can report that the future of TDCAA is strong. I am confident that our association will continue to build on the strong foundation established by outgoing executive director Rob Kepple that will be handed over to incoming leader Shannon Edmonds. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this incredible journey.