HOUSTON -- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee opened an unofficial field hearing of the U.S. Judiciary Committee Friday to discuss the state of Harris County's justice system, KPRC Local 2 reported.

"With many misgivings surrounding Harris County, it's fair to say this local justice system has been tarnished," Jackson Lee said.

Of the 40 members on the powerful committee, only Jackson Lee and Chairman John Conyers of Michigan are sitting on the panel.

Jackson Lee said the hearing is needed to begin restoring confidence into the Harris County judicial system.

The committee planned to talk about a grand jury's no-billing of Joe Horn after he shot and killed two burglars last fall, overcrowding and alleged mistreatment of prisoners at the Harris County Jail and convictions based on faulty DNA evidence.

Jackson Lee said the testimony gathered will help guide government policy.

"The federal Nexus is developed by the federal funding that is received both by the Harris County Jail and the district attorney's office throughout the state of Texas," she said. "Federal dollars and federal law govern the process of justice in the nation."

Jackson Lee is up for re-election in November. Her Republican opponent characterized the hearing as showboating.

"Sheila Jackson Lee is a congresswoman and this really is a states' rights issue," John Faulk said. "Harris County and the Texas state legislature are the ones who should be taking at look at it. All she's doing is grandstanding."