Brown County Judge Arrested

BROWNWOOD, TX — Brown County Judge Alan “Shane” Britton, 54, a longtime local attorney and public official, was indicted by a grand jury on November 20, 2025, on five charges — three third-degree felonies and two Class A misdemeanors — alleging serious misconduct in office.

The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended him without pay effective November 25, 2025, one day after he turned himself in to the Texas Rangers.

Britton was booked into the Brown County Jail on November 24, 2025, and released the same day after posting bonds totaling $27,500. As of December 3, 2025, neither Britton nor his attorney has made a public statement regarding the allegations.

The Charges (December 2023 – March 2024)

• Abuse of Official Capacity (Class A misdemeanor) — On or about December 11, 2023, Britton allegedly practiced law privately in Brown County while serving as county judge, in violation of Texas Government Code §82.064.
• Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution (Class A misdemeanor) and Tampering with a Governmental Record (third-degree felony) — In January 2024, while presiding over a family violence assault case, Britton allegedly left an arrest warrant unsigned on his desk, concealed it, refused to sign it, and took deliberate steps to prevent its execution so the suspect could avoid arrest.
• Tampering with a Witness in a Family Violence Case (third-degree felony) — In the same January 2024 case, Britton is accused of attempting to coerce or persuade the victim to sign an affidavit of non-prosecution rather than testify, intending to impede the prosecution.
• Assault of a Public Servant (third-degree felony) — In March 2024, during plea negotiations in his courtroom, Britton allegedly intentionally struck the female assistant county attorney in the head while she was performing her official duties.

The investigation began after county employees reported concerns, leading to a months-long probe by the Texas Rangers. A special prosecutor was appointed, and an out-of-county judge oversaw grand jury proceedings to ensure impartiality.

County Operations & Leadership Transition

County Commissioner Joel Kelton (Precinct 2), the designated Judge Pro Tem, immediately assumed all administrative duties of the County Judge’s office.

“The county employees who observed matters of concern reported them promptly to the appropriate authorities. Their reports initiated an investigation conducted over many months by external agencies, during which a special prosecutor and an out-of-county judge were appointed to ensure impartiality.

These transitions will help prevent disruptions to the work of the Commissioners Court and the upcoming court schedules.

All appropriate steps have been taken — and will continue to be taken — to ensure public trust in our county officials and to uphold the integrity of our judicial system.”
— Judge Pro Tem Joel Kelton, December 1, 2025

Retired Judge Frank Griffin has been assigned all criminal cases in County Court through at least February 28, 2026. County Court at Law Judge Sam Moss will handle civil, juvenile, and probate matters.

Background & Political Future

Britton has been a licensed attorney since 1995 and previously served as Brown County Assistant District Attorney and County Attorney (2001–2022). He was elected County Judge in November 2022 and took office in January 2023.

His current term expires December 31, 2026. He will face challenger Patrick Howard in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.

No trial date has been set in the 35th District Court. The criminal case remains active, and the suspension will continue until the charges are resolved or the commission issues further orders.

County officials have emphasized that day-to-day operations — including Commissioners Court, emergency management, and court dockets — are continuing without interruption under the temporary leadership arrangement.

Brownwood is the county seat of Brown County located about 100 miles east of San Angelo on US 67.