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The Harris County District Attorney's Office employs investigators who are certified peace officers as defined
in Chapter 2.12 of The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. These investigators are assigned throughout the Office
of the District Attorney. Investigators assist the prosecutorial staff in the preparation of criminal cases that
occur in Harris County, conduct formal investigations, conduct investigations directly for the District Attorney,
and assist law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis.
An investigator must hold an Masters Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education.
The investigator must live within 50 miles (G.P.S.) of the District Attorney's Office and be able to pass the
firearms qualification course as prescribed in the Harris County District Attorney's Office Operations Manual.
An application for the position of investigator can be obtained in person at 1201 Franklin Street, Suite 600,
Houston, Texas 77002-1923. Mail application to the Chief Investigator at the above address.
The Asset Forfeiture Division investigators provide assistance to any law enforcement agency in their seizure
of property connected to illegal activity.
Bond Forfeiture investigators assist the prosecutors in criminal investigations of bondsmen and assist the
prosecutors, paralegal, interns and secretaries in the location of assets for individuals. The investigator
also acts as a liaison with the Texas Department of Insurance, the Secretary of State and Citizenship and
Immigration Services to procure information regarding personal history of bondsmen or defendants.
Check Fraud investigators are responsible for the investigation of bank fraud cases and theft by check cases,
both felony and misdemeanor. These investigators also work cases of identity theft that relate to bank
fraud.
Investigators in the Child Abuse Division serve subpoenas, obtain records for Grand Jury and trial, review
cases prior to Grand Jury presentation, locate witnesses, pursue "no arrest" defendants, accompany prosecutors
to crime scenes, and assist outside agencies with investigations.
Consumer Fraud investigators investigate criminal violations of Texas laws and consumer protection statutes.
Specifically, the Consumer Fraud Division will undertake investigations and prosecutions of persons or businesses
engaging in criminal consumer fraud within Harris County.
The Family Criminal Law Division investigates and prosecutes cases involving family violence, child abduction,
criminal non-support, bigamy cases and executes criminal arrest warrants. FCLD investigators assist in obtaining
protective orders for victims locate and serve subpoenas for witnesses and victims, conduct follow-up family
violence scene investigations, assist in gathering evidence and liaison with victim shelters throughout Harris County.
FCLD investigators also handle long-term child abduction cases and assist other law enforcement agencies in recovering
missing children.
The Gangs/Narcotics Division is responsible for coordinating investigations related to organized gang activity
and high-level narcotics investigations. Investigators assist in obtaining search/arrest warrants and grand jury
subpoenas for these investigations.
Juvenile Division investigators locate witnesses and victims in criminal cases when needed. They are also
responsible for executing search warrants, criminal warrants pertaining to juvenile criminal cases, assisting
prosecutors in preparing for trial and preparing for juvenile certification hearings.
Investigators in the Major Fraud Division investigate offenses involving white-collar crime such as embezzlement,
identity theft, theft of large sums of money, investment schemes, insurance fraud, Medicaid fraud and
forgeries.
The Major Offender investigators provide assistance to any law enforcement agency in their investigation of
major crimes, such as murder, capital murder, and solicitation of capital murder, sexual assault, robbery, auto
theft rings and arsons. MOD investigators obtain search and arrest warrants, grand jury subpoenas, court orders,
and provide assistance and technical equipment to local law enforcement agencies.
Investigators assigned to the Misdemeanor Division:
- Assist prosecutors in obtaining needed reports and documents
from law enforcement agencies,
- Review completed investigations, reports and case files of law enforcement agencies
to determine if all investigative avenues have been explored to prepare the case for successful prosecution,
- Evaluate and summarize investigative findings in written reports,
- Investigate crime scenes and collect evidence,
- Prepare and execute court orders, subpoenas, arrest warrants and search warrants,
- Locate and interview complainants, suspects, and witnesses, and maintain, transport and insure the
lawful and proper destruction of disposed criminal cases.
Police Integrity Division investigators conduct on scene investigations at the location and time of officer-involved
shootings anywhere in Harris County. This division also handles complaints of Official Oppression against police
officers and certified jailers.
The Public Integrity Division is responsible for handling complaints concerning conduct which a complainant alleges
is a criminal offense committed by an elected or appointed individual who is paid from public funds. Public
Integrity also investigates any violation of the Texas Election Code.
The Trial Bureau includes four court divisions, consisting of twenty-two felony courts. The assigned duties for
the Trial Bureau investigators include:
- Assist assistant district attorneys in their preparation of cases filed in Harris County for trial and/or
disposition,
- Locate and arrest defendants in non-arrest status cases,
- Locate witnesses previously identified by the originating case officers from the various police agencies
in Harris County,
- Locate and interview witnesses not previously identified or known by the originating officers,
- Accumulate records subpoenaed or requested by the court prosecutors,
- Execute search warrants and consent to search orders to obtain any possible new evidence for the courts,
- Liaison with police officers and police agencies to ensure that all reports and evidence are properly
prepared.
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