(a) The criminal district attorney of Van Zandt County must be at least 25 years old and must have been a practicing attorney in this state for two years. However, if no person meeting those qualifications files as a candidate for the office on or before the 30th day before the last day on which a person may file as a candidate in an election to that office, the qualifications imposed by this subsection do not apply to that election.
(b) The criminal district attorney shall attend each term and session of the district courts in Van Zandt County and each term and session of the inferior courts of the county held for the transaction of criminal business and shall exclusively represent the state in all criminal matters before those courts.

(c) The criminal district attorney shall perform the duties conferred by law on county and district attorneys in the various counties and districts.
(d) The criminal district attorney shall collect the fees, commissions, and perquisites that are provided by law for similar services rendered by a district or county attorney.
(e) The criminal district attorney, for the purpose of conducting the affairs of his office, may appoint a staff composed of assistant criminal district attorneys, investigators, stenographers, clerks, and other personnel as the Commissioners Court of Van Zandt County may authorize. The commissioners court shall pay the salaries of the staff in equal monthly or bimonthly installments from the officers’ salary fund of the county.