Petition to Remove Travis County DA José Garza Dismissed by Judge

Judge Dib Waldrip, Comal County's 433rd District Judge and Presiding Judge of the 3rd Administrative Judicial Region, dismissed a petition to remove Travis County District Attorney José Garza on Thursday. The 21-page appeal, filed in April, claimed "incompetency and official misconduct" related to Garza's prosecutorial methods.

The case came from a Texas law passed in 2023 that targeted so-called "rogue" prosecutors. Despite intense argument, Waldrip found inadequate legal grounds for removal and granted a request to dismiss filed by Bell County Attorney James "Jim" Nichols, representing the State.

In a response, Garza described the petition as a "politically motivated effort" and reaffirmed his commitment to community safety and justice system reform.

The session featured dramatic testimonials from victims of brutal crimes. One such person, Melinda Hipolito, attempted to intervene as a plaintiff, citing a situation in which her family was attacked, and the perpetrator accepted a plea deal she found too light. Waldrip dismissed her motion, stating that her assertions did not meet the removal standards.

The judge also emphasized that Garza's re-election by Travis County voters invalidated previous allegations of misbehavior, reinforcing the democratic process.

The removal highlights the political strain surrounding Garza's term as his office struggles to implement criminal justice reforms in a politicized environment.

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