I earned a BA in Government from UT Austin and a JD from Baylor. I served 12 years as a Security Forces Police officer. As a student prosecutor, I handled felony cases in Williamson County. I later interned with the McLennan County Courts and helped establish their DWI and drug court. I went on to build my own practice focused on criminal and civil rights law. My life experience qualifies me for this role. My family survived a violent crime and sought justice. I have been profiled by law enforcement and carried the responsibility of being a police officer. I have prosecuted or defended cases ranging from murder to traffic citations and have testified as an expert witness in our courthouse. I offer experience without excuses.
My priority is the safety of the community. The office must support leaders and the community while holding them accountable. Safety begins with trust. Can we trust that our leaders’ actions bring us closer to a safer community? The District Attorney can reassure the public that law enforcement and leadership are following the law, making residents more willing to work together to reduce crime. The DA can also support outreach and proactive solutions before people turn to illegal acts. A community that knows help and programs exist is less likely to end up in criminal court. Defendants who can be rehabilitated and are offered support are less likely to reoffend. Those who refuse help and pose a danger must be removed from the community.
We must strengthen our intake division to ensure only cases that truly need to be filed are filed. A stronger intake process also allows us to monitor law enforcement interactions with the community. If field tactics are not building safety and trust, they must be addressed. If actions are illegal, accountability is required. Improving intake will also expand diversion programs and better serve defendants who can benefit from them. It will help identify individuals with serious mental health needs so intervention can begin as soon as possible. No one should remain in jail without help simply because they are mentally ill and do not understand why they are being held.
I have served Hays County as a prosecutor since 2018 and as a Division Chief over the Misdemeanor and Specialty Courts Division since 2022. I earned my undergraduate degree from Texas A&M and my law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. In addition to my work in Hays County, I have worked with four prosecutors' offices, the UT Criminal Defense Clinic, and three appellate judges. Over the last three years, I have spearheaded numerous diversion initiatives, including coordinating with the Mental Health Court and our new low-level DWI diversion program. Outside of the office, I serve as a Director on the Hays County Bar Association Board of Directors and previously served as Chair of the Scheib Opportunity Center.
The most important responsibility of the Criminal District Attorney is to see that justice is done. While simple, this statutory and constitutional duty encompasses everything: ensuring that cases that should go forward do, that defendants who can be diverted are, and that crime victims who deserve a voice are heard. There is no manual that exactly explains how a prosecutor fulfills this responsibility, which is why the Criminal District Attorney must provide firm direction for all employees, prosecutors and non-lawyers alike. Hays County's next Criminal District Attorney must provide that leadership to double down on diversion, reemphasize the prosecution of violent crime, and build an office prepared for the 2030s.
We must double down on diversion, emphasize prosecution of violent offenses, and meet the challenges of a rapidly growing county. Doubling down on diversion means investing in our current programs, such as our new Pre-Trial Diversion Program, and expanding to meet the needs of others who can be diverted, including those with substance abuse disorders. We must also emphasize the prosecution of egregious crime, such as gun violence and crimes against children, by investing in programs like our new Family Justice Unit, which specializes in the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse. Finally, we must continue to expand services to match the needs of a rapidly growing county while being responsible stewards of our tax dollars.
