Web Desk
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare has announced a shift in policy, stating that his office will no longer prosecute “nuisance” crimes like trespassing.
Instead, these cases will be referred to mental health professionals.
Former Houston Police Department Captain and criminal justice expert Greg Fremin has raised concerns about this move. He warned that trespassing often leads to more serious crimes, such as burglary, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
Fremin believes the new policy sends the wrong message to criminals, potentially increasing violent crime.
“There are some people that need to go to jail,” he said. “When we start decriminalizing certain offenses, it can have a very chilling effect on society.”
He pointed out that similar strategies in other cities with Soros-backed district attorneys have led to crime spikes.
Decriminalizing minor offenses, like petty theft, has sometimes encouraged more criminal activity, forcing some stores to shut down due to rampant shoplifting.
Teare defended his decision during a Police Interaction Program event, explaining that the goal is to ease overcrowding in Harris County jail.
He argued that prosecuting trespassers—who face minimal penalties—does little to solve the root issue. Instead, he called for “creative solutions” to address the problem.
However, Fremin countered that jail overcrowding stems not from petty crime arrests but from violent offenders stuck in pretrial detention due to slow court proceedings. He doubts Teare’s plan will tackle this deeper issue.
In response to criticism, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office clarified its stance. “Of course, we’ll still authorize arrests and, if necessary, prosecute these crimes,” a spokesperson said.
“We are building our Mental Health Division at HCDAO with experienced prosecutors who understand the importance of treating people suffering from mental health issues. That leads to reducing recidivism.”
The debate over balancing criminal justice reform with public safety continues in Harris County.
