TEXAS COUNTY GOV’T
Brown County is enduring a shake-up in leadership following the indictment and suspension of County Judge Alan Shane Britton, who faces charges of tampering with a government document, assault of a public servant, and witness tampering in a family-violence case — all 3rd degree felonies.
Britton also is charged with abuse of official capacity, and hindering apprehension or prosecution, both misdemeanor offenses.
According to court documents published by KTXS-TV in Abilene, warrants for his arrest were issued on Nov. 21, following grand jury indictment.
Britton was arrested on Nov 24, and received an Order of Suspension from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct on Nov. 25 according to court documents.
According to authorities, the indictments stem from several incidents in early 2024.
Britton is accused of tampering with a search warrant issued for the arrest of a Brown County man charged with assault in January of that year.
A separate indictment alleges an assault occurred in March 2024, between Britton and an assistant attorney for Brown County by “hitting her in the head,” and that “the complainant was lawfully discharging an official duty, namely conducting plea negotiations with defense counsel.”
Former Co. Court-At-Law Judge Assigned to Brown County
According to Brownwood News Online, on Monday, Dec. 1, Texas’ Seventh Administrative Judicial Region in San Angelo, presided over by retired district court judge Ben Woodward issued an order of assignment for the judicial concerns of Brown County, which was posted at the Courthouse.
This order assigns the Hon. Frank E. Griffin to the County Court until Feb. 28, 2026, or until associated cases are resolved.
Judge Griffin served previously as Brown Co. Court-At-Law judge until retiring in 2014. Griffin will fulfill Britton’s judicial responsibilities. Commissioners Court will be lead by Judge Pro Tem Joel Kelton.
