Texas Statutes
Subchapter D. Complaint Procedures and Hearings
Section 161.162. Preliminary Review Hearing: Procedure

Sec. 161.162. PRELIMINARY REVIEW HEARING: PROCEDURE. (a) The standing preliminary review committee shall conduct a preliminary review hearing if:
(1) following the preliminary review, the standing preliminary review committee and the respondent cannot agree to the disposition of the complaint; or
(2) the respondent in writing requests a hearing.
(b) The standing preliminary review committee shall provide written notice to the complainant and the respondent of the date, time, and place the committee will conduct the preliminary review hearing.
(c) At or after the time the standing preliminary review committee provides notice of a preliminary review hearing, the committee may submit to the complainant and the respondent written questions and require those questions to be answered under oath within a reasonable time. After receiving answers to any questions submitted to the complainant under this subsection and before the preliminary review hearing, the committee shall provide the respondent both the questions and the answers to the questions submitted by the complainant. This subsection may not be construed to require a person to give evidence that violates the person's right against self-incrimination under the United States Constitution or the Texas Constitution.
(d) On the request of the respondent, the standing preliminary review committee shall request that any information in the possession or control of the complainant, including exculpatory information, that is directly related to the complaint be provided the respondent and the committee.
(e) During a preliminary review hearing, the standing preliminary review committee:
(1) may consider all submitted evidence related to the complaint;
(2) may review any documents or material related to the complaint; and
(3) shall determine whether there is credible evidence that provides cause for the committee to conclude that a violation within the jurisdiction of the commission has occurred.
(f) During a preliminary review hearing, the respondent may appear before the standing preliminary review committee with the assistance of counsel, if desired by the respondent, and present any relevant evidence, including a written statement.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 799 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Structure Texas Statutes

Texas Statutes

Local Government Code

Title 5 - Matters Affecting Public Officers and Employees

Subtitle B - County Officers and Employees

Chapter 161 - County Ethics Commission in Certain Counties

Subchapter D. Complaint Procedures and Hearings

Section 161.151. Definitions

Section 161.152. Complaint Procedures and Hearings

Section 161.153. Hearings and Settlement

Section 161.154. Categorization of Violations

Section 161.155. Filing of Complaint; Contents

Section 161.1551. Standing Preliminary Review Committee

Section 161.156. Processing of Complaint

Section 161.157. Retaliation Against County Employee Reporting Violation of Ethics Code Prohibited

Section 161.158. Preliminary Review: Initiation

Section 161.159. Preliminary Review: Response by Respondent

Section 161.160. Preliminary Review: Written Questions

Section 161.161. Preliminary Review and Preliminary Review Procedures

Section 161.162. Preliminary Review Hearing: Procedure

Section 161.163. Preliminary Review Hearing: Resolution

Section 161.164. Formal Hearing: Standard of Evidence

Section 161.165. Formal Hearing: Subpoenas and Witnesses

Section 161.166. Formal Hearing: Procedure

Section 161.167. Formal Hearing: Resolution

Section 161.168. Status of Complaint

Section 161.169. Extension of Deadline

Section 161.170. Subpoena

Section 161.171. Status of Complainant

Section 161.172. Applicability of Other Acts

Section 161.173. Confidentiality; Offense

Section 161.174. Availability of Commission Orders on Internet