Law Offices of Dean Malone and others File Briefs Opposing Tarrant County’s Bizarre Interpretation of Texas Jail Death Investigation Law

The Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. joined Texas A&M law professors and multiple advocacy groups in filing briefs opposing the Tarrant County District Attorney’s interpretation of Texas’ jail death investigation law. The DA’s office requested the Texas Attorney General determine whether independent investigations are only required for deaths occurring inside jail walls — not those happening in hospitals or other facilities while detainees remain in custody. Critics say this interpretation would “gut” the Sandra Bland Act, which mandates independent investigations into all jail custody deaths.

Attorney Dean Malone, who represents families in Texas jail death cases, called the request an effort to “avoid accountability” and warned it would allow counties to escape oversight. The filings emphasize that detainees remain under jail custody even when hospitalized and that limiting investigations would conceal preventable neglect or abuse. Advocates, civil rights organizations, and faith groups urged the Attorney General to uphold full transparency and accountability in all Texas jail death cases.

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