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FROM STAFF REPORTS

BURNET — All requests by law enforcement for wiretaps and similar intercept methods in a 26-county region of Central Texas must go through State District Judge Dan Mills.

On Oct. 24, Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, appointed Mills as the judge of competent jurisdiction for the Third Administrative Judicial Region of Texas. In that position, Mills is responsible for reviewing and authorizing the interception and use of wire, oral and electronic communications.

Mills is one of nine judges in Texas who hold that responsibility.

“I am honored by the appointment and ready to serve,” Mills said. “The correct authorization of applications for interception is a critical function in the fight for our safety.”

Mills will continue to serves as the judge for the 424th Judicial District, which includes Burnet, Blanco, Llano and San Saba counties. The appointment is an additional duty.

Mills served as a state and federal prosecutor for 27 years before accepting the appointment as the 424th District judge when the state created the position. He also serves as the administrative judge for the 424th and 33rd district courts, which share the same four-county area.

The counties that comprise the Third Administrative Judicial Region are Austin, Bell, Blanco, Bosque, Burnet, Caldwell, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Falls, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Lampasas, Lavaca, Llano, McLennan, Milam, Navarro, San Saba, Travis and Williamson.

editor@thepicayune.com