Unmasking Corruption in Collin County: How Prosecutorial Abuse Landed in the U.S. Supreme Court
When a story takes on a life of its own, it can ripple far beyond its origins—even reaching the highest court in the land.
In October 2022, D Magazine published “The Most Lawless County in Texas”, an investigative piece exposing decades of systemic corruption within Collin County’s District Attorney’s office. The article detailed how prosecutors weaponized plea bargains, concealed exculpatory evidence, and targeted innocent individuals like former judge Suzanne Wooten to protect political allies. What began as a local exposé has now become a pivotal part of a national legal battle over prosecutorial accountability—one now before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Collin County’s Corruption: A Catalyst for Legal Reform
The original investigation revealed how Collin County prosecutors, under former DA John Roach, fabricated charges against Wooten in 2010 to remove her from the bench after she ruled against their interests. Though exonerated years later, Wooten’s ordeal exemplified how innocent people are coerced into pleading guilty to avoid draconian trial penalties.
This theme of injustice resonated far beyond Texas. Recent court filings in Mansfield v. Williamson County—a case challenging whether prosecutors must disclose exculpatory evidence during plea negotiations—cite the Collin County saga as a stark example of why innocent defendants accept guilty pleas.
Key Quote from the Supreme Court Brief:
“Even a Texas judge, prosecuted on false charges by a political rival, chose to plead guilty and take 10 years’ probation rather than risk a 20-year sentence. The determinative question was, ‘Do you want to be right or do you want to be free?’”
— Reply Brief for Petitioner, Mansfield v. Williamson County
Why This Case Matters Nationwide
The Supreme Court will decide whether the constitutional right to exculpatory evidence (Brady v. Maryland) applies during plea bargaining—a practice responsible for 97% of federal convictions. Without this protection, prosecutors can hide evidence to pressure defendants into false admissions, perpetuating wrongful convictions.
Collin County’s history of “closed-file” policies—where prosecutors withheld evidence to force pleas—illustrates the dangers of unchecked power. As noted in legal filings:
- 11.7% of DNA exonerees nationwide pled guilty to crimes they didn’t commit.
- Up to 27% of guilty pleas may involve factually innocent defendants.
Collin County’s Legacy of Lawlessness
The D Magazine investigation unearthed a pattern of misconduct:
- Weaponized Prosecutions: Targeting judges, whistleblowers, and political rivals with baseless charges.
- Coerced Pleas: Threatening defendants with life sentences unless they accepted plea deals.
- Cover-ups: Concealing victim recantations and exculpatory evidence (see Mansfield court documents).
This corruption persists. In October 2022, Collin County DA Greg Willis was sued for sexual harassment and retaliation, further eroding public trust.
The Supreme Court’s Role in Ending Prosecutorial Abuse
Legal experts argue that mandating Brady disclosures during plea negotiations could dismantle coercive tactics. As attorney Brandon Duke wrote in the Mansfield brief:
“Innocent people will often choose to be free rather than be right. The bad actions of prosecutors have life-altering consequences.”
The Court’s decision could redefine due process in America’s “system of pleas”—and finally hold counties like Collin and Williamson accountable.
What You Can Do
- Stay Informed: Research judicial candidates and DA policies before voting.
- Support Reform: Advocate for state laws requiring pre-plea evidence disclosure.
- Share This Story: Awareness is the first step toward accountability.
Corruption in Collin County isn’t just a local scandal—it’s a national bellwether. By shedding light on these abuses, we can ensure that “law and order” applies to prosecutors, too.
For deeper insights, explore the Mansfield v. Williamson County legal briefs and the original investigation here.