Pat Lykos, who was sworn in as Harris County district attorney on Jan. 1, pledged during her campaign to make changes to the 287-lawyer DA’s office if she was elected. In her first full week as DA, Lykos announced significant policy changes and new hires that, so far, have been welcomed by leaders in the criminal-defense bar who are giving her the benefit of the doubt — at least for now.
Lykos has a lengthy list of policy and departmental changes she plans to make as soon as possible at the DA’s office. Lykos, Roger Bridgwater, chief of the newly created professional development, community protection and ethics bureau, Assistant District Attorney Roe Wilson, Grand Jury Division Chief Dan Rizzo and spokeswoman Donna Hawkins are discussing those changes in detail as part of the Lykos administration’s plan to make the office more open and transparent to the press and public. Lykos’ proposed changes include:
