Opinions
Opinion No. KP-0501
The Honorable Glen Harwood
142nd Judicial District Attorney
500 North Loraine Street, Suite 200
Midland, Texas 79701
Re: The carrying of concealed firearms in courtrooms by the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorneys under Texas Penal Code § 46.15(a)(6) and (a)(7) (RQ-0598-KP)
S U M M A R Y
While the judiciary possesses broad authority over courtrooms, that authority does not license a categorical prohibition on lawful forms of concealed carry by individuals - like district attorneys and their assistants - who are expressly exempted from Texas Penal Code sections 46.02 and 46.03.
Opinion No. KP-0502
Ms. Gloria Meraz
Director and Librarian
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Post Office Box 12927
Austin, Texas 78711-2927
Re: Whether juvenile criminal case records constitute permanent records under Chapter 58 of the Family Code (RQ-0576-KP)
S U M M A R Y
The Government Code and the Local Government Records Act assign complimentary roles for local governments and TSLAC regarding local government records. The Juvenile Justice Code authorizes specific individuals and entities to destroy certain categories of juvenile records, and a county clerk or district clerk may destroy juvenile case papers pursuant to a local government's records control schedule that complies with TSLAC's records retention schedule.
For further information, please access the website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or call the Opinion Committee at (512) 463-2110.
TRD-202503985
Justin Gordon
General Counsel
Office of the Attorney General
Filed: November 4, 2025