HAYS COUNTY, Texas -- For the first time in eight years, there will be a new person in charge of the justice system in Hays County.
With no democratic opponent in November, Republican Wesley Mau is the county's next district attorney.
Mau won't officially take official until Dec. 31, but on Tuesday inside the Hays County government center, law enforcement welcomed the former Hays County prosecutor back to the county's justice system.
Mau prosecuted crimes in Hays County for 13 years. Now, he's back, and he envisions more of an evolution than a revolution for the district attorney's office, starting with increasing efficiency.
"One of the things I'm going to try to avoid is holding people in jail awaiting trial any longer than necessary just to avoid the cost," Mau said.
He said he wants to see the office put together cases more quickly to avoid over burdening the system.
"We just need to be more efficient with those practices so those cases aren't waiting six months before we even get started on them," Mau said.
He may be a familiar face in Hays County, but there's been a lot of change since he last worked here. Mau said growth brings challenges for his office.
"Where there's businesses and population, there's going to be growth in crime," said Mau. "The challenge there is how to do you balance the growth that's necessary without simply throwing money at problems."
Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler sponsored the meet and greet on Tuesday, where he also thanked outgoing district attorney Sherri Tibbe for being an ally to his office.
"I"m proud of what we accomplished over eight years," Tibbe said.
Her successor told the crowd he wanted this job because he wanted a new client.
"Prosecutors work for the people. Our client is everybody," said Tibbe.
Mau will be leaving his current position as an assistant attorney general for Texas.
