Harris County DA Intern Suspended After Flagging Charging Errors

Intern Uncovers Potential Charging Errors

• 💡 An intern at the Harris County DA’s Office identified possible errors in up to 300 cases, leading to a full audit.
• 🎯 The intern, a third-year law student named Alex MSAS, discovered that defendants may have been erroneously charged or convicted of Class A misdemeanor offenses when they should have been lower Class B offenses.
• 🔍 MSAS initially found these issues in criminal trespass cases but later discovered they also extended to terroristic threat cases and other offenses.

DA's Response and Audit

• 🗣️ District Attorney Shawn Tier conceded that experienced prosecutors should have caught these potential coding errors and wrongly filed charges.
• ✅ The DA's office took action by filing notices in approximately 300 criminal trespass cases and is conducting a full-blown audit that includes other misdemeanor offenses.
• ⏳ Tier stated the issue dates back to 2020 and attributed it to an intake division previously filled with inexperienced attorneys.

Intern's Suspension and Status

• ⚠️ Shortly after raising the red flag, the intern was told to turn in his county phone and laptop and was sent home, being suspended.
• ❓ MSAS was suspended while the DA's office investigated an allegation of misconduct for his alleged misuse of confidential databases.
• ⚖️ The intern expressed confusion and believes his suspension appears to be retaliatory, despite the DA denying any retaliation.
• ❓ His current status remains uncertain, with a requested meeting with HR being cancelled.
• 📌 MSAS wants to make clear that he was trying to do the right thing and is now in limbo.