KEEP BILL HICKS

Fighting for Justice & Upholding the Rule of Law

“Upon taking office, I made it my mission to restore honesty, integrity, and transparency to the 34th Judicial District. In 2023, we’ve achieved remarkable goals: we’ve addressed the Walmart prosecution, slashed a massive case backlog, and worked tirelessly to fill staffing gaps. We’ve restored specialized units for domestic violence and DWI cases, and, most importantly, we’ve brought justice back to the courtroom. My commitment is unwavering, and I’ll continue to serve our community with dedication and transparency.”

Bill D. Hicks has been a resident of El Paso for 25 years, deeply rooted in the city's history and committed to its future. His family's connection to this vibrant community dates back to the 1930s when his grandfather, Graydon Hicks, first settled here. Bill's journey into public service was influenced by his family's legacy and a strong desire to contribute to the well-being of the place he calls home.
Bill's professional journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas A&M University, followed by a law degree from Texas Tech School of Law in 1997. His legal career took him to private practice outside of Austin, but his passion for justice led him to El Paso, where he joined the 34th Judicial District Attorney's Office in 1998. Over twelve years, he dedicated himself to serving the people of El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties, mastering every aspect of the justice system, from intake and misdemeanors to high-stakes felony cases. His unwavering commitment even earned him the role of a Special Assistant United States Attorney, prosecuting gun crime both in state and federal courts.
In 2010, Bill Hicks transitioned to the judiciary, serving as the Judge of the 243rd Judicial District Court with distinction. During his tenure, Judge Hicks maintained an impressive case disposition record, a testament to his efficiency and dedication to justice. He returned to private practice, specializing in mediation and arbitration, before founding the successful law firm of Ortega, McGlashan, Hicks, and Perez, PLLC. Despite this prosperous venture, his heart remained in public service, and in 2022, he heeded the call of the community and assumed the role of District Attorney for the 34th Judicial District. As El Paso's District Attorney, he has brought a renewed sense of honesty, integrity, and commitment to justice, vowing to serve the public with dedication and unwavering adherence to the truth. Bill D. Hicks is leading the charge to ensure that El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties move forward with a fresh start, building a future anchored in justice and transparency.

Meet Bill Hicks

A Legacy of Service.

 A Year of Achievements

  • Upon taking office in December 2022, DA Hicks prioritized honesty and integrity, striving to restore the office’s reputation and promote transparency in all actions.

  • Throughout 2023, DA Hicks focused on three key objectives: rectifying the Walmart prosecution, addressing a massive backlog of cases, and tackling the shortage of staff. The backlog, which had once reached 14,000 cases, was significantly reduced to approximately 4,000, with a target of nearly complete elimination by Spring 2024. Despite challenges, DA Hicks worked tirelessly to fill vacancies in the office, especially in attorney positions.

  • DA Hicks made it a point to be open and accessible to the media and the public, providing unfiltered responses to questions. He has been dedicated to ensuring that the inner workings of the office are known to all.

  • DA Hicks resurrected the Domestic Violence Unit, recognizing the importance of specialized attention to domestic violence cases. He also re-established the specialized DWI/Intoxicated Manslaughter Prosecutor position to deal with these complex and critical matters.

  • DA Hicks pushed the office back into the courtroom with numerous trials, including a significant conviction and sentencing of the killer of El Paso Deputy Sheriff Peter J Herrera. Notably, his office handled multiple capital murder, murder, intoxicated manslaughter, and sexual assault cases, ensuring that defendants were held accountable and victims received justice.

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