Texas District and County Attorneys Association

Thoroughly trained, knowledgeable, and competent prosecutors, assistant prosecutors, investigators, and administrative support personnel are indispensable to an effective criminal justice system. There is constant turnover as people leave public service for more lucrative private practices and work in private industry. It is imperative that prosecutors' offices be able to train new personnel as quickly and as comprehensively as possible. However, limited state and local financial resources make such training unaffordable on the local level. Additionally, training on an office-by-office basis would lack uniformity and lead to an uneconomic duplication of effort. The tdcaa, with its experience and dedication to the mission of training and assisting prosecutors, is able to supply that crucial training and education affordably, efficiently, and uniformly. Tdcaa hosts 11 major training events each year. In addition, tdcaa hosts regional training, in-house training, and online training.

Prosecutors occupy a central role in the criminal justice system. Because of this unique role, their advice on law enforcement issues is constantly sought from members of all three branches of government, law enforcement agencies, citizens' groups, and the media. The tdcaa, as Texas' sole statewide Association of prosecutors, is in a position to channel these requests for information to the appropriate people and to make sure the needs of the various groups for help and information are being satisfied.

The tdcaa, as the statewide Association of prosecutors and their staff, acts as a central "clearinghouse" of information. It is important that prosecutor offices around the state have a source upon which they can rely for accurate, up-to-date information that directly affects their duties. Prosecutors often need technical assistance in the performance of their legal duties. The tdcaa staff monitors legislation and court decisions so that it can immediately relay changes in the law and other information to prosecutors. The Association also researches legal issues and offers technical advice to members upon request. Additionally, the Association provides guidance when approached by prosecution offices in search of professional testimony, software and hardware sources, pro tem assistance, forms, and a host of other ancillary needs germane to the prosecutorial role. Tdcaa also offers its members and allied professionals a catalog of 36 legal publications, including code books, manuals, and guides essential for prosecutors and their staff. In addition to the publications, tdcaa distributes weekly case law summaries to members and publishes a bi-monthly magazine, the Texas prosecutor.