Professional Responsibility Review Committee - General Information
Prosecutors, unlike other attorneys, are bound by a special set of rules and standards. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 2.01 mandates: “It shall be the primary duty of all prosecuting attorneys…not to convict, but to see that justice is done.” Additionally, Rule 3.09 (“Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor”) of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct sets out particular requirements for action and prohibited actions specific to prosecutors.
The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney’s Office (DCCDAO) expects all its employees to adhere to the highest ethical standards to ensure that justice is done in every case it prosecutes.
Due to their commitment to the cause of justice and the hard work that results from that commitment, prosecutors meet their ethical obligations in all except the rarest of occasions. When allegations of professional misconduct arise, timely, fair and consistent resolution of those allegations is critical to not only the attorneys, but also the public we serve.
To that end, the DCCDAO has created the Professional Responsibility Review Committee (PRRC), which will receive and investigate complaints of professional misconduct lodged against any of its attorneys and, when necessary, recommend disciplinary action to the Administration of the DCCDAO.
The PRRC will only review complaints of alleged misconduct that occurred after January 1, 2019. The PRRC will consider alleged conduct that occurred prior to January 1, 2019, only if it affects current litigation and/or tends to show motive, intent, knowledge, or lack of mistake.
Please also note that a copy of any complaint filed will be provided to the ADA who is the subject of the complaint, and he or she will have an opportunity to respond. The PRRC will then investigate the allegations and determine whether or not professional misconduct occurred; and if professional misconduct has occurred, Page 2 of 10 the PRRC will make a recommendation to the DCCDAO Administration on whether or not discipline within the DCCDAO is warranted. You will be notified of the findings of the final decision of the DCCDAO Administration. Further, the PRRC process is distinct, separate and independent of any other process or procedure currently used by other agencies. The PRRC findings are in no way to be construed as legal or factual conclusions or admissions, and/or a substitute to a formal disciplinary proceeding by the State Bar of Texas. Additionally, the specifics of the complaints, screening, inquiry, and findings/reports are, and shall remain, confidential to the fullest extent of the law.
Professional Responsibility Review Policy
The purpose of the Professional Responsibility Review Policy is to ensure that the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office (DCCDAO) employees act with the highest ethical and professional standards and to comply. with all applicable laws and rules of professional responsibility. Prosecutors are bound by a defined set of rules and standards that do not apply to other attorneys. Specifically, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 2.01 mandates: "It shall be the primary duty of all prosecuting attorneys ... not to convict, but to see that justice is done." Additionally, Rule 3 .09 ("Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor") of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct sets out particular requirements for action and prohibited actions specific to prosecutors.
To read the policy and/or download it, please click here.
