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HCDVCC Interviews the Candidates for District Attorney

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.

Interview with Dan Simons

Interview with Sean Teare

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Its a SMOOOTH Santa Visit

The SMOOOTH SANTA event was hosted last night at the office from 5-7 pm. This event was in partnership with SMOOOTH (more about them below). A total of 6 families were treated to a SMOOOTH SANTA Wonderland experience. Each family had 2-4 kiddos.

The experience started off with families being treated to goodie bags, sweets, hot chocolate, and drinks. Then the kiddos were invited to participate in festive arts and crafts. Then a picture with Santa (with the parent’s written consent) and that picture was then printed for them and framed for them to take home. Then they had carolers sing a couple of Christmas songs. Kiddos were then invited to decorate the Christmas tree. And finally (and most importantly for the kiddos), they got a Christmas gift or two!

The whole experience was very festive, and there was a smile on every face – from 4-month-olds to 15-year-olds!

I want to make sure and give a shout-out to the Trauma Support Partners who helped make this possible cause; honestly, our TSP team rocks!

About the Author

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Desire Martinez, HCDVCC, Lead Trauma Support Partner