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.

On December 10, 2019, Sgt. Kaila Sullivan, a Nassau Bay police officer, was run over and killed by Tavores Henderson. Harris County Assistant District Attorneys Lisa Stewart and Stephany Abner asked the judge for a life sentence. Judge Melissa Morris sentenced Henderson to 58 years in prison.

Sgt. Kaila Sullivan dedicated her life to protecting our community. The Nassau Bay officer served with courage, honor, and a deep commitment to public safety. Today, Tavores Henderson was found guilty of Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant in Sgt. Sullivan’s death.

Thinking about dumping that old desk on a dead-end street? Or dropping your mattress in a ditch? Maybe forgetting your futon on the side of the road? Not smart. Illegal dumping is a crime that brings hefty penalties (yes, fines and/or jail time). Not to mention, it’s bad for our planet.

Within a 72-hour period this week, we extradited 3 fugitives from abroad to face justice. If you commit heinous crimes in Harris County, know this: we will bring you to justice - no matter where you run. First court appearances to be set in the 180th and 262nd District Courts.

At HCDAO, our newly created Mental Health & Diversion Bureau is changing lives. Since January, instead of jail time, we’ve helped more than 600 people who commit non-violent crimes, giving them opportunities to turn their lives around. Click here to watch ⬇️ youtu.be/tKCyxbBZ5PA?...

Nearly 500 kids now have backpacks filled with school supplies thanks to Saturday's back-to-school giveaway. Honored to stand alongside the C.J. Stroud Foundation volunteers, Tank Dell & the Texans, plus Chris Hollins, and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Investing in families strengthens our community.

For the fifth year in a row, no Intox Manslaughter charges over July 4 weekend. Thank you to our Harris County law enforcement and community.

22 shots. That’s how many times Oscar Rosales opened fire on Cpl. Charles Galloway as he sat in his patrol car during a routine traffic stop. Last week, Rosales was found guilty of Capital murder. Today, that jury decided Rosales should die for the life he stole on January 23, 2022.

Our newest Pre-Commit class comes to us from 15 different law schools across 8 states. They are talented, driven, energized, and focused. Today, we welcome them to the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. #hcdao

Team HCDAO walking for mental health awareness! We’re proud to support the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, @namiwalks. Our office’s new Mental Health Bureau means Harris County gets the treatment and services this community deserves. Mental Health Matters.

Happening NOW: DA Sean Teare sharing latest data that reflects the new administration's commitment to decreasing the current jail population while improving public safety and tackling the persistent cycle of recidivism within the criminal justice system. fb.watch/zBNkBic_iC/

A Harris County mom is thankful to be alive this Mother’s Day and grateful for justice. A jury has found her ex-husband guilty of shooting her nearly a half dozen times, after he broke into her home as she and their children slept. Aaron Bayne Wright is now sentenced to 50 years behind bars.

This Saturday, 10-2 pm, the HCDAO is proud to work with @tiffanydthomas.bsky.social and our partners, hosting a free expunction clinic and job fair at the Alief Community Center.   Check your eligibility prior to attending: www.clearyourrecordharriscounty.org

When communication lines are vandalized, critical infrastructure is threatened. It puts lives at risk, impacts local economies, and disrupts daily lives. HCDAO is taking a stand against communication line vandalism and theft—we promise to hold offenders fully accountable.

Our first 100 days have proven – when we work together, we can accomplish the goal. Point proven. Thank you to the Commissioners Court for delivering in a bipartisan vote to give us an additional $7.6 million to support the critical needs of HCDAO. Let’s keep going.