The county attorney serves as the county’s chief civil lawyer, handling various civil issues, including advising county officials, representing the county in lawsuits, and ensuring local government is following the law.
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Additionally, when voting rights are challenged at the local level, it’s often the county attorney who defends election officials or helps guide the county’s legal response.
In the audio above, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media’s Party Politics, explains what county attorneys do, which local election officials they work with, and how they defend the county from state overreach.
Featured Guest: Jonathan Fombonne, Harris County Attorney