Because the position of Chief Medical Examiner of Harris County lacks the determining characteristics of a public "officer" cited in relevant Texas judicial decisions, the Medical Examiner is not an appointed "officer" as that term is intended in article 16, section 1 of the Texas Constitution. Rather, the Medical Examiner is an administrative employee who serves at the pleasure of, and subject to the governmental control of Commissioners Court in such basic discretionary functions as employing and establishing the salaries of deputy medical examiners, scientific and technical officers, and employees. Therefore, the Chief Medical Examiner is not required to take the oath of office or subscribe to the written statement set forth in article 16, section 1 of the Texas Constitution.
Respectfully yours,
VINCE RYAN
County Attorney