TYLER, Texas — Smith County commissioners chose to take no action regarding deducing the salary of Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips, who is convicted of interfering with her son's 2023 arrest.

Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said Tuesday after the court's executive session that there is no clear path written in the Texas Constitution on what to do regarding the salary of a public official who has been convicted and serving time in jail or prison.

So the court decided to not take action on the issue, but they did vote to request that the state legislature take action to prevent the payment for an official who is serving time in prison or jail for a criminal offense.

Phillips was convicted of interfering with public duties in 2024 for interfering with her son Derek Phillips' arrest th

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