Tex. R. Disc. Prof'l. Cond. 3.09

As amended through November 19, 2024

Rule 3.09 - Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

The prosecutor in a criminal case shall:

(a) refrain from prosecuting or threatening to prosecute a charge that the prosecutor knows is not supported by probable cause;

(b) refrain from conducting or assisting in a custodial interrogation of an accused unless the prosecutor has made reasonable efforts to be assured that the accused has been advised of any right to, and the procedure for obtaining, counsel and has been given reasonable opportunity to obtain counsel;

(c) not initiate or encourage efforts to obtain from an unrepresented accused a waiver of important pre-trial, trial or post-trial rights;

(d) make timely disclosure to the defense of all evidence or information known to the prosecutor that tends to negate the guilt of the accused or mitigates the offense, and, in connection with sentencing, disclose to the defense and to the tribunal all unprivileged mitigating information known to the prosecutor, except when the prosecutor is relieved of this responsibility by a protective order of the tribunal; and

(f) When a prosecutor knows of new and credible information creating a reasonable likelihood that a convicted defendant did not commit an offense for which the defendant was convicted, the prosecutor shall, unless a court authorizes delay,

(1) if the conviction was obtained in the prosecutor's jurisdiction:

(i) promptly disclose that information to:

(A) the defendant;

(B) the defendant's counsel, or if there is none, the indigent defense appointing authority in the jurisdiction, if one exists;

(C) the tribunal in which the defendant's conviction was obtained; and

(D) a statewide entity that examines and litigates claims of actual innocence.

(ii) if the defendant is not represented by counsel, or if unable to determine whether the defendant is represented by counsel, move the court in which the defendant was convicted to determine whether the defendant is indigent and thus entitled to the appointment of counsel.

(iii) cooperate with the defendant's counsel by providing all new information known to the prosecutor as required by the relevant law governing criminal discovery.

(2) if the conviction was obtained in another jurisdiction, promptly disclose that information to the appropriate prosecutor in the jurisdiction where the conviction was obtained.

(g) A prosecutor who concludes in good faith that information is not subject to disclosure under paragraph (f) does not violate this rule even if the prosecutor's conclusion is subsequently determined to be erroneous.

(h) In paragraph (f), unless the context indicates otherwise, "jurisdiction" means the legal authority to represent the government in criminal matters before the tribunal in which the defendant was convicted.

Tex. Disc. R. Prof. Cond. 3.09

Amended August 27, 2024, effective 10/1/2024.

Comment:

Source and Scope of Obligations

1. A prosecutor has the responsibility to see that justice is done, and not simply to be an advocate. A prosecutor should not initiate or exploit any violation of a suspect's right to counsel, nor should he initiate or encourage efforts to obtain waivers of important pre-trial, trial, or post-trial rights from unrepresented persons. A prosecutor is obliged by this rule to take reasonable measures to see that persons employed or controlled by him refrain from making extrajudicial statements that are prejudicial to the accused. See also Rule 3.03(a)(3), governing ex parte proceedings, among which grand jury proceedings are included. Applicable law may require other measures by the prosecutor and knowing disregard of those obligations or a systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion could constitute a violation of Rule 8.04. In many instances, it may be appropriate for a prosecutor to inform his or her supervisor about information related to the duties set down by this Rule.

2. Paragraph (a) does not apply to situations where the prosecutor is using a grand jury to determine whether any crime has been committed, nor does it prevent a prosecutor from presenting a matter to a grand jury even though he has some doubt as to what charge, if any, the grand jury may decide is appropriate, as long as he believes that the grand jury could reasonably conclude that some charge is proper. A prosecutor's obligations under that paragraph are satisfied by the return of a true bill by a grand jury, unless the prosecutor believes that material inculpatory information presented to the grand jury was false.

3. Paragraph (b) does not forbid the lawful questioning of any person who has knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the rights to counsel and to silence, nor does it forbid such questioning of any unrepresented person who has not stated that he wishes to retain a lawyer and who is not entitled to appointed counsel. See also Rule 4.03.

4. Paragraph (c) does not apply to any person who has knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the rights referred to therein in open court, nor does it apply to any person appearing pro se with the approval of the tribunal. Finally, that paragraph does not forbid a prosecutor from advising an unrepresented accused who has not stated he wishes to retain a lawyer and who is not entitled to appointed counsel and who has indicated in open court that he wishes to plead guilty to charges against him of his pre-trial, trial and post-trial rights, provided that the advice given is accurate; that it is undertaken with the knowledge and approval of the court; and that such a practice is not otherwise prohibited by law or applicable rules of practice or procedure.

5. The exception in paragraph (d) recognizes that a prosecutor may seek an appropriate protective order from the tribunal if disclosure of information to the defense could result in substantial harm to an individual or to the public interest.

6. Sub-paragraph (e) does not subject a prosecutor to discipline for failing to take measures to prevent investigators, law enforcement personnel or other persons assisting or associated with the prosecutor, but not in his employ or under his control, from making extrajudicial statements that the prosecutor would be prohibited from making under Rule 3.07. To the extent feasible, however, the prosecutor should make reasonable efforts to discourage such persons from making statements of that kind.

7. Consistent with Rule 4.02(a), where a defendant is represented by counsel with respect to the matter at issue, prosecutors would satisfy their obligation to notify the defendant by notifying the defendant's counsel.

8. The prosecutor's disclosure obligations under paragraph (f) are commensurate with those created by other law.