GOP leaders had been virtually silent so far about supporting Paxton, who was elected in November after serving Collin County as a state senator.

But the Republican Party of Texas released a statement criticizing the charges this morning. Party spokesman Aaron Whitehead said the indictments were surrounded in "outrageous events" but did not elaborate on which details of the investigation and subsequent charges constituted a "sloppy process."

"Since being overwhelmingly elected by the voters of Texas, General Paxton has helped lock up child predators, investigated the odious acts of Planned Parenthood, relentlessly pushed back against an overreaching federal government, and we expect him to fight these allegations with that same zeal," Whitehead said. "Ken Paxton, like all Americans, deserves to have his say in a court of law, rather than be judged in a court of public opinion that is presided over by liberal interest groups."

Collin County judge and fellow Republican Keith Self told DallasNews.com on Monday that he has known Paxton since before his first run for state representative -- his first elected office -- in 2002.

"Speaking for myself and not the county commission, Ken Paxton is a friend of mine, and my views certainly don't reflect any jury," Self said.

"We'll let the legal system react to this," he said. "I believe there is a long way between an indictment and a conviction. We have a good legal system here in Collin County and we will see how it proceeds."

Meanwhile, Democrats rallied outside the Collin County courthouse Monday and called for the attorney general's resignation. Zen Biasco, 73, of Richardson, was among them. He said it's upsetting to see how Paxton has abused the public's trust. And, he said, it reflects poorly on this area and the state.

"I get enough guff from all over the country saying, 'What's happening with Texas," Biasco said. "It doesn't matter if it's right or left. It's just the politics down here. First we have a governor indicted. It's just too much. It's an embarrassment."

He added: "As [former Gov.] Ann Richards always said, 'If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. He's got to face up to his punishment."

Biasco showed up with a handwritten sign saying "Did the crime. Do the time." Others carried signs saying "Not above the law" and "Ken must go."

Kathleen Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Dallas County Democratic Party, said the rally gave a voice to Texans troubled by Paxton's actions. Although the crowd of two dozen was outnumbered by the media, Thompson said she was satisfied with the turnout. The rally was organized at the last minute, scheduled for daytime on a Monday and in the summer heat.

"He's our top legal officer. We need him to follow the law," she said. "How can he try to enforce state law when he's already admitted to breaking the law?"

Thompson said she hopes Paxton resigns but isn't expecting protesters or anyone else to convince him to step down.

"There's a lack of credibility if he doesn't resign," she said. "If he cared about the state and if he cared about the office, he would resign. But I think he's more interested in Ken Paxton."

Austin Bureau Chief Brandi Grissom and staff writers Julieta Chiquillo, Wendy Hundley, Jeff Mosier, Kristen Taketa and Michael E. Young contributed to this report.