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Ballotpedia, Dan Simons

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Worked as a criminal defense attorney in Harris County.

As an attorney at the Dan Simons Law Firm for 12 years, Simons researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County , specializing in criminal defense. 

As an Assistant District Attorney, tried 29 misdemeanor jury trials with five acquittals, 13 felony jury trials with one acquittal, and 26 Justice of the Peace Court and jury trials, achieving a total conviction rate of 84%.

As an Assistant District Attorney of the Harris County DA's Office for 3 years, Simons prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As an attorney at the Dan Simons Law Firm for 12 years, Simons researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County , specializing in criminal defense. 
- As an Assistant District Attorney of the Harris County DA's Office for 3 years, Simons prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

Believes criminals are "emboldened" due to lack accountability and public safety.

Believes criminals are "emboldened" due to lack of accountability from "our failed government that has systematically ignored public safety..."

Believes the current bond system fails to prevent violent offenders from reoffending, saying it allows them to "continue to walk our streets and prey on new victims after getting bond after bond after bond."

Believes the current bond system "allows violent offenders to continue to walk our streets and prey on new victims after getting bond after bond after bond."

Believes public safety is the "number one duty of local government" and supports residents demanding safer living, working, and worshiping conditions.

Believes public safety should be considered the "number one duty of local government."

Opposes defunding local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office.

Opposes defunding local law enforcement agencies, including the District Attorney’s Office.

Believes Harris County citizens deserve a District Attorney that will administer justice equally, "despite political pressures."

Believes Harris County citizens deserve a District Attorney "that will administer justice equally, despite political pressures."

Believes in strict prosecution of criminals.

Plans to prosecute "criminals...to the fullest extent of the law."

Believes in challenging the O’Donnell Consent Decree and eliminating "failed bond reform" to allow judges more discretion in their decisions.

Believes wants to "eliminate the failed bond reform" and allow judges to expand types of punishments and have more discretion in their decisions.

Believes in implementing safeguards to protect against fraudulent activities and enhance voting system security.

Supports strict voting systems plans to implement measures "to prevent fraudulent activities..."

Supports providing comprehensive support services for crime victims, including counseling, financial assistance, and legal aid.

Plans to provide support services for crime victims, including counseling, financial assistance, and legal aid.

Believes in combining tough prosecution with proactive measures to prevent crime, such as community outreach programs, enhanced law enforcement presence, and support for at-risk individuals.

Wants preventive crime measures, such as community outreach programs, enhanced law enforcement presence, and support for at-risk individuals.

Believes victims deserve to be at the center of the justice system and supports ensuring their rights are upheld and voices are heard throughout the judicial process.

Believes victims "deserve to be at the center of the justice system" and wants to ensure their rights are upheld, and voices are heard during the judicial process.

Opposes a one-size-fits-all approach when judging defendants, and plans to judge each defendant as an individual, which includes their criminal history.

Believes election integrity is crucial for democracy and supports investigating and prosecuting election fraud to ensure fair elections.

Believes election integrity is crucial for democracy and plans to investigate and prosecute any cases of voter  fraud. 

Believes accountability is essential for justice and integrity in the legal system.

Believes in advocating for sentencing that reflects the crime's severity and supports rehabilitation.

Believes " Justice must be fair and proportional" and supports sentencing that reflects a crime's severity. 

- Believes criminals are "emboldened" due to lack of accountability from "our failed government that has systematically ignored public safety..."
- Believes the current bond system "allows violent offenders to continue to walk our streets and prey on new victims after getting bond after bond after bond."
- Believes public safety should be considered the "number one duty of local government."
- Opposes defunding local law enforcement agencies, including the District Attorney’s Office.
- Believes Harris County citizens deserve a District Attorney "that will administer justice equally, despite political pressures."
- Plans to prosecute "criminals...to the fullest extent of the law."
- Believes wants to "eliminate the failed bond reform" and allow judges to expand types of punishments and have more discretion in their decisions.
- Supports strict voting systems plans to implement measures "to prevent fraudulent activities..."
- Plans to provide support services for crime victims, including counseling, financial assistance, and legal aid.
- Wants preventive crime measures, such as community outreach programs, enhanced law enforcement presence, and support for at-risk individuals.
- Believes victims "deserve to be at the center of the justice system" and wants to ensure their rights are upheld, and voices are heard during the judicial process.
- Opposes a one-size-fits-all approach when judging defendants, and plans to judge each defendant as an individual, which includes their criminal history.
- Believes election integrity is crucial for democracy and plans to investigate and prosecute any cases of voter  fraud. 
- Believes accountability is essential for justice and integrity in the legal system.
- Believes " Justice must be fair and proportional" and supports sentencing that reflects a crime's severity. 

Public Safety

Supports policies that aim to protect businesses from fraud and theft.

Supports policies that aim to support local businesses, protect the from fraud and theft, and encourage economic growth. 

Supports establishing a specialized task force to investigate corruption at all government levels.

Wants to establish a specialized task force to investigate government corruption at all levels. 

Said, "No one is above the law, and our elected officials must be held accountable for violations."

Aims to "Restore Local Business Confidence."

Wants to "Restore Local Business Confidence."

Believes a thriving local economy relies on the safety and security of businesses, and plans to collaborate with law enforcement and community leaders to reduce crime.

Plans to work with law enforcement and community leaders to ensure businesses can prosper without a threat of crime. 

Believes in holding officials accountable to restore trust in public institutions.

Wants to restore trust in the DA's Office "by taking a firm stance against corruption."

Promises to end "abuse of power and government overreach" in the DA office.

Wants to end "abuse of power and government overreach" in the DA office.

- Supports policies that aim to support local businesses, protect the from fraud and theft, and encourage economic growth. 
- Wants to establish a specialized task force to investigate government corruption at all levels. 
- Said, "No one is above the law, and our elected officials must be held accountable for violations."
- Wants to "Restore Local Business Confidence."
- Plans to work with law enforcement and community leaders to ensure businesses can prosper without a threat of crime. 
- Wants to restore trust in the DA's Office "by taking a firm stance against corruption."
- Wants to end "abuse of power and government overreach" in the DA office.

Consumer Protection

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Dan Simons

Houston Chronicle, What to know about Sean Teare, the Democrat nominee for Harris County DA who defeated Kim Ogg

Ballotpedia, Sean Teare

As a prosecutor, led the Vehicular Crimes Division to prosecute defendants charged with traffic crimes.

- As a prosecutor, led the Vehicular Crimes Division to prosecute defendants charged with traffic crimes.

Believes in serving justice by dismissing charges, giving second chances, or seeking severe sentences as needed.

Believes the Harris County DA’s office needs to stop "playing politics" and focus on improving criminal justice leadership.

Supports collecting data on the frequency, location, and causes of gun violence.

Supports increasing funding for "Second Chance" programs like drug courts that divert non-violent drug offenders into treatment instead of jail or forced plea deals.

Supports providing trauma-informed counselors to help victims understand their rights and access resources.

Supports expanding support for pregnant victims, particularly those who are rape and sexual assault survivors.

Supports working with Harris County Commissioners Court to expand access to abortion.

Supports increased funding for Harris County’s Community Violence Interruption Program to reduce gun violence and crime.

Believes in reforming the criminal justice system to be more fair and protect citizens from violent criminals.

- Believes in serving justice by dismissing charges, giving second chances, or seeking severe sentences as needed.
- Believes the Harris County DA’s office needs to stop "playing politics" and focus on improving criminal justice leadership.
- Supports collecting data on the frequency, location, and causes of gun violence.
- Supports increasing funding for "Second Chance" programs like drug courts that divert non-violent drug offenders into treatment instead of jail or forced plea deals.
- Supports providing trauma-informed counselors to help victims understand their rights and access resources.
- Supports expanding support for pregnant victims, particularly those who are rape and sexual assault survivors.
- Supports working with Harris County Commissioners Court to expand access to abortion.
- Supports increased funding for Harris County’s Community Violence Interruption Program to reduce gun violence and crime.
- Believes in reforming the criminal justice system to be more fair and protect citizens from violent criminals.

As of September 7, 2024, Sean Teare’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sean Teare

- District attorneys prosecute felony criminal cases on behalf of the state, presenting them to grand juries and working closely with law enforcement during investigations.
- They also represent victims seeking protective orders and assist in removing children from abusive homes as part of their responsibilities.
- They are elected to four-year terms.
- Depending on the district, attorneys make between $68,000 to $110,400. 