When District Attorney Sean Teare came to this office, he came with a new idea for crime survivors. What if HCDAO started a new group? Something we’ve never done.

Illegal dumping hurts our neighborhoods and puts public safety at risk. The good news: we’re making it easier to do the right thing.

Prosecutors promote Earth Day? Sure do. Because #EarthDay reminds us... we can't allow environmental crimes to hurt our communities.

UPDATE: Today, a Harris County grand jury returned an indictment charging Floyd William Parrott with Capital Murder in the 1990 Lovers’ Lane killings of Cheryl Henry and Garland “Andy” Atkinson. youtu.be/4hcxB3JdR6k

To our new HCDAO Faith Advisory Board: thank you for partnering with us to build a safer Harris County. District Attorney Sean Teare recently met with community faith leaders who bring experience and a deep understanding of how compassion and justice intersect.

Justice for Deputy Darren Almendarez. 

 On March 31, 2022, Harris County Deputy Darren Almendarez had just finished grocery shopping with his wife. He was off duty at the time.

If you know anything about DA Sean Teare, you know he loves University of Houston. Teare recently went back to his alma mater as the inaugural speaker for the Blakely Advocacy Lecture series.

Justice for a 10-year-old Houston child — a survivor whose identity this office protects.     Her handprint painting speaks for itself: "You can’t hunt me anymore."

“At the end of the day, that person who harmed you needs to be held responsible.” youtu.be/RSQ1FFECOd0

“As a father of four…Protecting children isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. And we will use every ounce of determination to find justice.” -Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare

One in three teens in the U.S. experiences abuse from a dating partner.

Cleaner streets mean safer streets — and safer streets mean a stronger, safer Harris County.

Today, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office takes a significant step in the ongoing pursuit of justice for Cheryl Henry, Andy Atkinson, and their families. For years, our prosecutors have worked in partnership with Houston Police detectives and Houston FBI agents on this case.

Justice for Tanesha Richards A jury has found Bruce Gerard guilty of Capital Murder. Prosecutors proved he harassed, stalked, and ultimately killed the 25-year-old Houston woman who went on a date with him one time in March 2023.

Every day, our social workers stand beside our victims and survivors, empowering them, showing compassion, and guiding them through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Saddle up, Houston. It's rodeo season. In Texas, this is how we show our First Responders all the love. #FirstRespondersDay #DAseanteare #backtothecourthouseplease

Justice for a Houston mom today.   Karly Kimberly Navarrete was shot to death on October 1, 2023.

Today, Justice for Dulce Martinez. A jury found Aldo Ramirez guilty of murdering Dulce Martinez, mother to two sons and two daughters.

Today, on National Prosecutors Day, we celebrate our own.

Today, Terry Bryan Rivera, 29, has agreed to serve 50 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend’s son.   On March 4, 2024, Carlos Fernandez was asleep in the living room of his family’s apartment when he heard gunshots.

That’s the 2026 MLK Day Parade wrapped! HCDAO is honored to stand with our community in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy of service, justice, and equality. Your support reminds us why this work matters. We love you, Harris County.

HCDAO honors the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King challenged people to live up to their highest ideals. He reminded us that justice is measured not by laws or rules, but by how we treat each other every day.

Listen up. Stalking is not harmless. 

Why? Because stalking behaviors can escalate. What may start as unwanted calls, repetitive messages can quickly move into showing up in person, making threats….committing a violent crime.

Public safety is built on partnership. The HCDAO is proud to work alongside law enforcement officers who understand what it means to respond with compassion and support survivors, while holding violent offenders accountable. Thank you for serving Harris County.

Plenty of y'all already have a plan if you’re going out to celebrate and have a few cocktails. In fact, the majority of you probably do. We love this. Have fun tonight. Just make sure you have a sober plan in place for getting home—a rideshare, a designated driver, or simply staying where you are.

Wishing Happy Holidays to all, from the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Our hearts are with all our HCDAO survivors, their loved ones, and those remembered. It is our privilege to fight for justice on your behalf. It is our honor to share your stories.

The holidays are different for the Limmer family this year.    It’s another Christmas without their fun-loving, kindhearted, “gentle giant,” Jeff.

Dondre Williams, 23, will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty of Capital Murder moments ago.

Have a safe and festive Thanksgiving, Harris County!

Welcome to the season of gift giving, online shopping, holiday card sending, and…mail theft.   It’s big business this time of year. Sure, you probably already know not to send cash in Christmas cards, but did you know sending a check is worse?

Happy Thanksgiving week, Harris County.   At HCDAO, we’re grateful to everyone who came out this weekend to help pack and hand out meals for families across our community. Prosecutors, support staff, investigators, and our families gave their time and made a real difference.

Join us this Saturday!

Today, we remember Olegario Aguilar Jr., father to four children, murdered at a carwash more than three years ago. Monday, a jury sentenced Aguilar’s killer, Gabino Ibarra, to life in prison. Justice for Aguilar. Justice for his family.

Today, we honor all of those who have served and who continue to serve in the U.S military. Veterans: we thank you and we salute you. Your bravery and commitment make this country what it is.

Across Harris County, nearly 900,000 people rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table.  While food banks are doing everything they can, they simply cannot fill the gap left by those benefits being suspended or significantly reduced.

In court, we talk about the evidence. We talk about charges. We talk about defendants. And case law.   But behind the hard facts and the arguments, there are people.   People like Joe McMullin.

Have fun and stay safe, Harris County!

“We’re prioritizing high-risk cases with trauma-informed prosecutors. It’s about PREVENTION. It’s about helping survivors navigate trauma and building a safety net. To the survivors…you deserve to be met with care and not conditions.” It’s that simple.

Joe McMullin collected people. Because people couldn’t help but love Joe. And Joe loved Houston. He was proud to be from Harris County. He trusted his community—strangers and all.

Kim Pham. Myra Gutierrez. Rebecca Suhrheinrich. Remember their names. Remember their stories.

In August 2021, Gabby Petito was killed by her fiancé while they were traveling in a van together across the United States. She was first reported missing in September—but her body wasn’t found until September 19, 2021. youtu.be/UrrnbZKpf9A

The relationship between police and prosecutors is a special one. Both carry badges. But only officers must run into the danger.

20-year-old Caleb Rickenbacher, who was taken from his loved ones nearly 3 years ago, is receiving justice. After deliberating just 20 minutes, a jury found the now 20-year-old man who killed Caleb in a fatal crash, Destin Quintero, guilty of felony murder yesterday.

Jurors have given justice to 20-year-old Caleb Rickenbacher, who was killed in a crash on November 19, 2022. The jury found 20-year-old Destin Quintero guilty of felony murder. Quintero was 17 when, according to testimony, he stole an SUV.

Last week, your elected leaders passed a budget that will help us sustain the largest expansion in the DA's office in recent history. Watch to learn more:

On Valentine’s Day in 2022, nine-year-old Arlene Alvarez was shot and killed.  A beautiful little girl, whose life had just started, taken from her mother, father, and brother in an instant.

"Everyone liked him. He was funny, extremely smart, and extremely loyal."   That’s what Austin Thomerson’s partner told media in November 2019 after Austin was shot to death trying to protect another member of our community while visiting a pawn shop in southwest Houston.

Justice for 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez. A jury has just found Tony Earls guilty of Manslaughter. They deliberated for less than an hour. On Valentine’s Day 2022, the Alvarez family was headed to eat pizza at one of Arlene’s favorite restaurants—Spanky’s.

On January 27, 2022, Ms. Alma Brown reported her son, Daniel Brown, missing.

When we choose to support second chances for people who deserve it, we’re helping create a more stable future for themselves and their families. Not only that, we’re making Harris County safer—for everyone.