The 2024 Election is not only important on a national level but for Harris County as well. Several races will directly affect the Criminal Justice System in Harris County, with none being as important as the race for Harris County District Attorney. According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.01 one of the duties of a District Attorney is” ensuring justice is done, not a conviction.”  While the District Attorney’s race is considered a “down ballot” race meaning it is on the third page of a five-page ballot it is just as important as the races on page one. The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council invited the candidates running for District Attorney, Dan Simons, and Sean Teare, to sit down for a ZOOM interview and answer six questions submitted by our community partners. The questions include issues like how they would address the lack of adequate staffing and training at the D.A.’s Office, their position on victim’s input in plea agreements, the use of risk assessments in domestic violence cases, the length of time to process a charge at D.A. Intake, cases where women kill their abusers, and the tension between Law Enforcement and the D.A’s Office.

HCDVCC would like to thank both Dan and Sean for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate. We would like to thank you for taking the time to watch and we hope this helps you make your decision on who to vote for, for Harris County District Attorney.

Both candidates agreed to be interviewed and their full interviews are below.