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I am a forth generation
Texan. Having been born in the South Texas
community of Alice, Texas, my family and I were
transferred by my father's employer five times
before we relocated to Houston in 1960.
I attended Houston public schools then attained
my undergraduate degree from Baylor University.
Upon returning to Houston, I put myself through
law school attending nights at South Texas
College of Law.
Upon successful completion of the Texas Bar
examination, District Attorney Carol Vance hired
me as an assistant district attorney in March of
1977. My plans in 1977 were to stay here a few
years then leave to make more money.
I found that it was so satisfying to serve
Harris County through this office that I
remained as an assistant until my predecessor,
Johnny Holmes, announced his plans to retire at
the end of his term in 2000. I successfully ran
for the office of District Attorney in 2000 and
became the elected District Attorney on January
1, 2001. I ran again in 2004 and was re-elected
to this office.
Much of my focus has been the education and
training of the staff here to keep ahead of
changes in crime in our county. I established
the first Identity Theft Division in Texas. On
my watch we formed the first vehicular assault
team in Texas where prosecutors are sent to the
scenes of intoxication assault/ intoxication
manslaughter scenes to preserve evidence in
these difficult cases. I beefed up the Juvenile
Division of the office and began to address
entry level offenses to the Juvenile Justice
System by attacking truancy and establishing
mentoring programs for youthful offenders.
I have committed resources to assist the Texas
Legislature during every session since taking
office by providing an assistant district
attorney to meet with the elected
representatives and staff in Austin. Except for
assistants salaries, all other costs were
funded by non-tax dollars.
The Harris County District Attorneys Office
serves the third largest county population in
the United States. I believe that many of our
staff members here are preeminent among their
peers anywhere in the country. Many have been
invited to teach in other jurisdictions and have
won state and national awards for their
exceptional work and scholarship.
I am married to a retired FBI Special Agent. I
have a son who practices civil law in Austin,
Texas and we have two teen-aged daughters in
high school and junior high school here in
Houston.
There are challenges ahead. In 2006 this office
prosecuted over 136,000 cases in Harris County's
District and County Criminal Courts at Law. In
2007 misdemeanor prosecutions have remained
relatively close to 2006 levels but felony
filings are increasing at about an 8% rate. I
believe that it is critical to maintain a hard
line against crime in this county, while staying
true to our duty under Texas law to see that
Justice is done.
For more information, please visit the office
website at:
http://app.dao.hctx.net
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Fundraiser Bar-B-Que. Please join Chuck at the