A Message From Former Maverick County Attorney Jaime “AJ” Iracheta
Letter to the Editor:
Citizens of Maverick County, today justice was served. During the time that I was serving as your Maverick County Attorney, a case was filed in the County Court system that I believed did not belong there nor did the County Judge have jurisdiction to rule on.
The case consisted of a Defendant who was attempting to 1: get out of federal custody, 2: overturn a guilty plea from 15 years prior that had been entered in District Court, and 3: have this done in County Court by a non-attorney Judge, David Saucedo.
In reviewing and researching the case, I came to the conclusion that the case did not belong in County Court. Therefore, the County Judge David Saucedo did not have the jurisdiction to rule on it. Upon further investigation I decided to submit my objections at the County Clerks Office. There, I found out that Judge Saucedo had already ruled on the matter. To be clear, David Saucedo never held a hearing on the case or even allowed enough time for the State of Texas to issue a response as required by law. David Saucedo’s actions subsequently allowed this Defendant to be released from Federal Custody.
In accordance to the law, I as your County Attorney and representative of the State of Texas and along with the District Attorneys Office appealed Judge Saucedo’s judgment to the 4th Court of Appeals. As many of you know shortly thereafter I was abruptly removed from office and replaced with your current County Attorney Gloria Hernandez. Not surprisingly one of her first actions as your County Attorney was to attempt to close the case by filing a Motion to Dismiss. The District Attorney’s Office objected to Gloria’s Motion to Dismiss and the 4th Court of Appeals denied Gloria’s and David’s attempt to close the case.
Today the 4th Court of Appeals issued its opinion and validated both your District Attorneys Office and my legal views on the parameters of this case and reversed and remanded David Saucedo’s order. I applaud all of those who helped me in this matter knowing that doing what is right is not always easy. Have a great day!
All information can be found at the 4th Court of Appeals website.
Cause No. 04-18-00979-CR
Respectfully,
Jaime “AJ” Iracheta
Former Maverick County Attorney
