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Seal of the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney

Welcome to The Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Stacey M. Soule, State Prosecuting Attorney

The Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney is the voice of the people of Texas before the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest state court for appeals resulting from criminal cases.

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The State Prosecuting Attorney’s email for service purposes is information@spa.texas.gov

Since 1923, the State Prosecuting Attorney has been charged with representing the people of Texas before the Court of Criminal Appeals, the State's highest criminal court.  The office has assumed additional responsibility over the years, as changes and improvements have been made in the criminal justice system.  The duties of the office are set out by the Texas Legislature:

  • The State Prosecuting Attorney represents the state in all proceedings before the Court of Criminal Appeals.

  • The State Prosecuting Attorney may also represent the state in any stage of a criminal case before a state court of appeals if she considers it necessary for the interest of the state.

  • The State Prosecuting Attorney may assist a district or a county attorney in representing the state before a court of appeals if requested to do so by the district or county attorney.

  • The State Prosecuting Attorney may be assisted by a district or county attorney in representing the state before the Court of Criminal Appeals.

In carrying out these duties, the State Prosecuting Attorney and two assistant State Prosecuting Attorneys keep abreast of the latest criminal law issues and review the opinions from Texas appellate courts; submit petitions, briefs and oral argument in the cases of greatest importance to the State's criminal jurisprudence; and work closely with local district and county attorneys across the State on emerging criminal law issues.  Our goal is to provide the highest level of legal advice and counsel to prosecutors and the best possible representation to the citizens of Texas.

For more information about the duties of our office, please go to  our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Latest Pending PDR Case Summaries

Petition filed by SPA icondenotes a petition filed by SPA

GRIFFIN, EX PARTE GARY

09/25/2024

“Is it enough under Ex parte Riley, 193 S.W.3d 900 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) for an applicant to show that a ‘breakdown in the system’ prevented him from timely filing a notice of appeal in order to b...

ESTEVEZ, EX PARTE AMARILLYZ

09/18/2024

“Where jeopardy has indisputably attached, is the trial court’s purported vacatur, more than 30 days after the judgment, adequate to remove the defendant’s former jeopardy, so that she can be retri...

GLOVER, MICHAEL DONELL

09/11/2024

“Is the evidence sufficient to support a jury’s finding that a two- to three-inch pocketknife is a deadly weapon when it can rationally be determined that it was capable of causing death or serious...

Latest Publications

Disclaimer: The legal authorities cited in these papers was current as of the date of their distribution or publication. Because the law is in a continuous state of change, attorneys should exercise due diligence by checking the currentness and completeness of governing legal authorities (i.e., Shepardizing and Keyciting) and applicable statewide and local rules of appellate procedure.

Demystifying the Mysteries of Criminal Discovery Before All Hallows Eve

Conference / CLE
10/25/2023

Let the legal incantations begin, as we weave through the tapestries of jurisprudence and unveil the mysteries that lurk in the darkest recesses of criminal discovery. Together, we shall bring fort...

Criminal Case Highlights from the US SCt and Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) Sept. 2023 to Aug. 2024

Conference / CLE
09/20/2023

Criminal Case Highlights from the US S. Ct and Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) Sept. 2023 to Aug. 2024

2023 PDR Basics Dawson Criminal Appeals Conference PowerPoint

Conference / CLE
05/11/2023

2023 PDR Basics Dawson Criminal Appeals Conference PowerPoint

Contact Us

Mailing Address

P. O. Box 13046
Austin, Texas 78711-3046

Physical Address

209 W. 14th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

Phone

(512) 463-1660

Fax

(512) 463-5724