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A new district attorney will take office at the start of the new year in San Antonio.<\/p>\n
Joshua Fechter\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
At the start of the new year, a new district attorney<\/a> will be in charge of the Bexar County criminal case log. But with so many questions surrounding elections and political candidates, MySA is here to answer one of the biggest: What does a district attorney do<\/a>, and why does this particular election matter?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever been the victim of a crime or known someone charged with one, you\u2019ve been directly affected by the Bexar County District Attorney\u2019s Office\u2019s decisions. The lead prosecutor makes tough calls, such as whether to pursue or seek the death penalty in capital crimes, when to allow police charges to proceed to justice through the court systems and general policies that can shape how crime is handled and perceived in San Antonio and Bexar County.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bexar County District Attorney\u2019s Office is committed to upholding justice, protecting our community and enhancing public safety,\u201d the DA\u2019s office website states. \u201cOur dedicated team of prosecutors and staff advocates for victims, holds offenders accountable, and ensures equal treatment under the law.\u201d<\/p>\n What does the Bexar County district attorney do?<\/p>\n The District Attorney\u2019s Office has significant power over the criminal justice system <\/a>in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Internal policies, whether codified or simply spoken, can determine whether officials go harder or softer on certain charges.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Currently, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales has exercised the right in Texas to pursue the death penalty, forming a committee of leaders to weigh the evidence in capital cases and decide whether the death penalty is the right choice. That could change completely under a new district attorney, whether that means pursuing capital punishment more frequently or hardly ever.<\/p>\n Prosecutors \u2013 the attorneys representing the state in criminal cases and pursuing charges \u2013 also negotiate deals with defendants. This can significantly shape how a city or county views the severity of crimes. Lighter sentencing deals can be offered for certain charges, while other crimes may face harsher punishments or a resistance to striking a deal before trial. But the district attorney is a critical figure in determining where the office goes harder on crime and where it may or may not lighten up.<\/p>\n Who is running for Bexar County District Attorney in 2026?<\/p>\n There are three finalists on the November ballot vying to fill the seat Gonzales is vacating.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Jason Wolff<\/a>, an independent, hopes to rebuild the office with experienced staffers and more training for prosecutors. He also wants to give assistant district attorneys who work alongside the lead position more decision-making authority. He\u2019s calling for transparency, accountability and law enforcement support.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n