HOUSTON, Texas — April 11, 2025 — The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has received a significant financial boost, with $4.1 million in funding approved by county commissioners on April 10 to expand services and staffing for the Domestic Violence Bureau and the Mental Health and Diversion Bureau.
All four Harris County commissioners voted in favor of the proposal, while County Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from the vote. The funding is a scaled-back version of the original $7.5 million request made by the DA’s office but is intended to meet immediate operational and staffing needs.
Strategic Investment in Public Safety
According to Chandler Raine, First Assistant to District Attorney Sean Teare, the funding will be directed toward:
- Hiring experienced prosecutors and staff
- Expanding resources in the Domestic Violence Bureau
- Growing the Mental Health and Diversion Bureau
- Improving trial readiness to reduce case backlogs
- Utilizing trauma-informed social workers in DV cases
“We’re focusing on increasing the efficiency of our entire intake bureau,” said Raine. “That includes reducing delays that cause officers to sit around on overtime waiting for warrants, especially in critical cases like domestic violence or aggravated robbery.”
Funding Decision: Balancing Impact and Budget
Daniel Ramos, Harris County’s Budget Director, recommended the revised $4.1 million allocation, citing fiscal responsibility while still supporting critical public safety functions.
“An ineffective district attorney’s office ends up costing the county more,” Ramos explained. “This targeted funding addresses their most urgent needs without overextending the budget.”
Raine emphasized that the DA’s office has brought in over 200 years of combined experience in prosecution and criminal defense to streamline decision-making and ensure thorough case review.
Community and Commissioner Support
Precinct 3 Commissioner Adrian Garcia lauded the move as a “smart investment” in crime prevention and victim support.
“Domestic violence remains one of the most stubborn violent crime indices,” Garcia said. “Advocates are praising the DA’s work, and this funding ensures that momentum continues.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones echoed that sentiment, noting that Harris County currently spends $50 million annually to outsource inmates to private prisons.
“I’d rather invest in justice than incarceration,” Briones stated. “This funding allows us to support victims better, resolve cases faster, and deliver justice more effectively.”
Early Results Show Promise
Since DA Sean Teare assumed office in January, the department reports a 30% increase in cases going to trial and a 6% drop in jail population, signaling early success from efforts to improve court efficiency and diversion programming.
