Community

During fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2010, employees of the El Paso County Attorney's Office volunteered to provide more than 700 hours of community service. Volunteerism is part of a long tradition implemented by former County Attorney José R. Rodríguez and that continues under Jo Anne Bernal's administration. As part of that ...

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA) for the 2011 calendar year. The results of the election, which took place on September 2010 in South Padre Island, were just announced by the TDCAA Journal on their November-December issue.   ...

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has issued a legal opinion that confirms the El Paso County Ethics Commission must obtain legal advice from the El Paso County Attorney. AG Opinion No. GA-0817, issued in response to a request submitted by the El Paso Ethics Commission on December 11, ...

Dozens of local merchants scammed out of thousands of dollars. El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the arrest of a Horizon City resident accused of scamming dozens of local merchants and landlords out of thousands of dollars. Forty eight year-old Michael Nowell was arrested yesterday evening on 8 open warrants on charges that ...

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that the Office of the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has formally declined to issue a legal opinion regarding the granting of marriage licenses to individuals who have undergone sex change operations. On April 19, 2010 El Paso County Attorney's Office requested a legal opinion as to ...

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the sentencing of an El Paso resident accused of engaging in Deceptive Business Practices. On August 6, 2010, 31-year-old Jesus Piña pled guilty to one count of committing a Deceptive Business Practice, a crime of dishonesty punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed ...

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that a Federal District Judge has dismissed a legal challenge filed by a local civil rights activist against the El Paso County's Ethics Legislation approved by the Texas Legislature last year. On September 28, 2009, El Paso activist Carl Starr sued the County of El Paso and Texas ...

Erich A. Morales recipient of the 2010 National "Promise of One" Award  The Susan G. Komen for the Cure's national office and local affiliate recently awarded Assistant County Attorney Erich A. Morales the Komen's "National Promise of One" award. The award recognizes, on a national level, an individual's ...

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that hundreds of individuals took advantage of the hot check amnesty period that began on May 14, 2010. During the amnesty period, persons who paid their outstanding balances avoided payment of various charges, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond after ...

So far more than 300 residents have paid nearly $65,000 El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that Monday June 7, 2010 is the last day to take advantage of the current amnesty period. Individuals that pay their outstanding amount by Monday will avoid arrest during an upcoming ...