2025 welcomes Sean Teare as the new Harris County district attorney. Teare emerged victorious in the race for Harris County District Attorney back in November 2024.  

Defeating Republican nominee Dan Simons, Teare’s win follows his March primary victory over two-time incumbent and former boss Kim Ogg. Now, as the new DA-elect, Teare is poised to implement a series of reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and compassion within the county’s criminal justice system drawn from his 13-year experience in the Harris County District Attorney.

A Prosecutor’s Dedication to Public Service 

Sean Teare’s commitment to justice traces back to his early days as a law school intern with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Reflecting on that formative experience, Teare told Que Onda Magazine: “I fell in love with the work of the District Attorney’s office as a law school intern and believe in the prosecutor’s oath to serve justice in every case.”  

This passion guided his career trajectory, ultimately leading him back to the DA’s office in 2016 with fresh ideas and a renewed dedication to public service. Now, Teare plans to overhaul the office, addressing its longstanding issues.  

“Harris County deserves a functioning criminal justice system that prioritizes public service over politics,” he said, citing challenges such as a backlog of felony cases, high turnover among prosecutors, and a need for morale-boosting reforms. 

Comprehensive Experience and a Leadership Track Record 

With decades in the criminal justice system as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, Teare brings a unique perspective to the role.  He emphasized his managerial experience. 

“Over the last six and a half years, I have demonstrated my leadership capabilities by supervising well over a hundred different attorneys and staff members. This experience has equipped me with the skills needed to manage and lead a diverse and dynamic team effectively.”  His extensive trial experience, including over 50 jury trials, reinforces his readiness to lead Harris County’s DA’s office effectively. 

Addressing Key Challenges 

Teare recognizes the complex challenges facing the Harris County DA’s office. From a backlog of cases to issues with the intake process, he’s ready to confront these hurdles head on.  

“The intake process, designed in the early 70s as a gatekeeper to prevent wrongful arrests, is currently being mismanaged. Traditionally, line prosecutors spent significant time ensuring cases were appropriately filed,” he explains, highlighting his intent to restore the intake and ensure each case is carefully evaluated before prosecution. 

Teare also aims to tackle the low morale and high turnover within the office. He sees these internal issues as crucial to restoring the office’s functionality and public image. 

Balancing Public Safety with Fairness 

Public safety is central to Teare’s approach, but he emphasizes the need for a balanced strategy that addresses the root causes of crime.  

“Sometimes, [public safety] will mean pushing for incarceration. Sometimes, it will mean offering a diversion program that addresses the root causes of crime. Sometimes, that means dismissing a case,” he says. 

By examining each case individually, Teare aims to deliver justice that’s both effective and fair. Teare is also committed to supporting victims, particularly in communities facing discrimination. 

“Hate crimes are on the rise against the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, and people of non-majority religions,” he notes. He vows to prioritize the prosecution of hate crimes and ensure that culturally competent prosecutors are available to support victims.

Key Policy Initiatives 

Teare’s platform outlines several initiatives focused on systemic change and public safety:- Expanded Diversion Programs: “I will establish and enhance a comprehensive diversion program that covers both misdemeanor and felony cases,” says Teare. 

Collaborating with local trade unions, he envisions programs that offer job training and life skills, helping individuals reintegrate into society.- Revamping Probation Conditions: Teare plans to shift probation focus to practical rehabilitation, moving away from “busy work” and towards vocational training and useful life skills. 

“I will initiate a thorough review and revamping of the conditions surrounding probation, deferred adjudications, and diversions,” he says.- Lawful Arrest Protocols: To ensure fairer policing, Teare advocates requiring probable cause before arrests, aiming to protect individual rights while enhancing justice.- Regular Program Evaluation: For diversion programs to remain effective, Teare plans to implement evaluations that track recidivism and adjust programs based on data. “Data-driven insights will inform necessary adjustments and improvements,” he emphasizes.

Building Public Trust 

Restoring trust in the DA’s office is a core part of Teare’s vision. He calls for hiring a diverse team and establishing fair and transparent standards to ensure that the community feels represented. 

“To improve the community’s trust in our office, we have to show that we have the tools to think about each case with compassion and to combat the internal biases we have,” Teare explains. “We must hire and empower a diverse group of leaders—both in terms of race, sexual orientation, economic background, and religion.”