Judge Seeks Removal of Hays Clerk

Texas Judge Considers Removal of Hays County District Clerk

A judge is considering the "extraordinary" removal of Hays County District Clerk Avrey Anderson (19-year-old), who was accused in court Tuesday of incompetence, negligence, and fostering a hostile work environment. Judge Amy Clark Meachum did not rule on immediate suspension but plans to rule within 2 weeks. Anderson apologized for outbursts, blaming "extreme frustration." The elected clerk faces complaints over negligence in processing legal filings, including undelivered subpoenas and unprocessed jury summons. Testimonies described Anderson's erratic behavior, profane language, and absence from daily work. A trial for permanent removal is expected in October.

A judge is considering the "extraordinary" removal of Hays County District Clerk Avrey Anderson , who was accused in court Tuesday of professional incompetence, negligence of official duties, and fostering a hostile work environment. Hays County District Judge Amy Clark Meachum did not issue a ruling on Tuesday that would allow for Anderson's immediate suspension but said she hopes to rule on the temporary suspension within the next two weeks.

"This is a request for extraordinary removal," Meachum said. "Removing an elected official from office when the voters have elected them is an august power and is something that no one should do lightly."

Anderson, who was elected at age 19 after defeating longtime Republican incumbent Beverly Cowan Crumley in 2022, faces a slew of complaints regarding a continuing pattern of negligence in processing various legal filings, including subpoenas and jury summons notices.

"Our prosecutors and our investigators have had to adjust their processes and the timing in which they do things to allow enough time to make sure that the district clerk's office gets their role performed and that it doesn't interfere with the case," testified Hays County First Assistant District Attorney Gregg Cox.

Testimonies from Cox and Deputy Clerk Maximiliano Hernandez painted a picture of procedural problems due to Anderson's inexperience and erratic behavior, with Hernandez describing a tense work environment marked by bursts of profane and threatening language from Anderson.

"It's frustrating that this is the third time I've had to testify about this administration," Hernandez said.

Anderson, who earlier this year filed a since-retracted complaint to remove Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins under a law targeting progressive "rogue prosecutors," apologized for his outbursts during his testimony, saying they were the result of "extreme frustration."

"I'm not very emotionally intelligent sometimes, and I don't want to make anyone feel bad," Anderson said. "I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable."

A trial for Anderson's permanent removal is expected to take place in October, with pretrial status conferences scheduled for August and September.