(Photo: Office of Senator Hinojosa, 10/03/2025) L to R: Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and TDCAA Executive Director Shannon Edmonds.

Edinburg, TX – Today, the Texas District & County Attorneys Association (TDCAA) honored Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa by presenting him with the prestigious Lone Star Award at a legislative update attended by over 100 local prosecutors and police officers in Edinburg. This award recognizes Senator Hinojosa’s dedication to improving Texas’s criminal justice system through important legislation, funding, and close collaboration with TDCAA leaders and members.

As the Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Senate Criminal Justice and Border Security Committees, Senator Hinojosa has been a leader and advocate on issues important to TDCAA. He has worked to increase compensation for district attorneys and assistant district attorneys, secured increased funding for the Border Prosecution Unit, and supported the passage of bail reform, strengthened human trafficking laws, and imposed criminal penalties on individuals, websites, and payment processors involved in producing or distributing nonconsensual AI-generated intimate visual material, among other important legislation. His efforts have provided prosecutors the resources and tools they need to keep communities safe.

“I appreciate the Texas District & County Attorneys Association Board of Directors for presenting me with the Lone Star Award. As an attorney, I have much respect for the work of our district and county attorneys, and I understand the importance of having a balanced judicial system that protects the constitutional rights of defendants while also keeping dangerous criminals behind bars. As a legislator, TDCAA has been a valuable resource throughout my years of working on criminal justice issues. I look forward to continuing to work with them to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Hinojosa.

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