Hollis promises strong crime stance
By SHARON KERR

During his first week in office, newlyelected Jasper District Attorney Steve Hollis felt more like a janitor than a prosecuting attorney.

"The last couple of days I've been doing more janitor work, moving files and boxes, than actual prosecutor work. Right now it's a matter of finding files and assigning priorities," Hollis said.

"We've got files in this office, in two rooms upstairs in the courthouse and also in the old SHARE building across the street." Hollis said he has been told he needs a biohazard suit to go in there, since Hurricane Rita semi-destroyed the building.

"I wish I had been on better terms (with Walker) and could have spent more time with him," Hollis said. Two of Walker's staff, Melissa Herberger and Bill Dowell, walked Hollis through the office Jan. 1 to show him their system of filing.

Hollis has Novie Hammock, previously of the county clerk's office, to help. "She really knows how to go over case files," according to Hollis.

He has also had visits from County Sheriff Ronnie McBride and Jasper City Police Chief Todd Hunter, as well as games wardens, the probation department and representatives from the Department of Public Safety.

Hollis said they have all told him, "If you need some help, just let us know."

Hollis said he has already identified some files that needed to be returned to law enforcement for a little more work before he is ready to prosecute.

Hollis said, "I've got a staff here that's going to work well together. They like taking a case and working it, taking it to trial if necessary. If it ends in a plea bargain, we're content with that if it's fair."

Hollis said the indigent defense fund was exhausted in half a year in 2006, but he will look at grants and other sources to fund the process.

Although the budget for the district attorney's office was not increased for 2007, County Auditor Dru Miller confirmed there are grants like the indigent defense grant that will aid with prosecution costs.

"I think the budget is adequate for them to do what they need to do to get cases through the system," Miller said in an interview about Hollis last week.

"He has the manpower to prosecute and the investigators he has are very good" according to Miller.

New Jasper County Judge Mark Allen agrees and said he is looking forward to working with Hollis at improving the county's stature with law enforcement in the county.

"When we get to the point that the indigent funding is gone, we will address the needs that Steve has and work with him to expedite the prosecution process," Allen said. "We have a serious need for law enforcement and prosecution in our county and we have taken the first step at relieving the problems."

Hollis said he plans to run a pretty simple operation: "If you continue committing crimes, the punishment is going to get worse each time."

Jimmy Galvan contributed to this report