Charles Rosenthal

Harris County, Texas, the third most populous county in the United States, has a population equal to that of 22 states combined. And, while the population nears 3.9 million, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office ranks last in the top 20 prosecutors’ offices per capita, employing just fewer than 500 individuals, including 236 prosecutors. At the head of operations for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office is Charles “Chuck” Rosenthal who has served as the district attorney in this booming jurisdiction for two consecutive terms.

Chuck Rosenthal has worked in Harris County for 29 years, beginning his career as a prosecutor in March 1977.

“Back then only three of the prosecutors in Harris County were women. Today the office is 50/50,” said Rosenthal.

Over the years, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office has witnessed staffing and budgeting issues, like most prosecutors’ offices do, however, Harris County has developed very strong ties to the community courts, helping to relieve some of the burden. The biggest challenge facing the office today is the growing caseload. Felonies have risen 11 percent and misdemeanors 8.7 percent over the past year—“and last year was a record year for crime in Harris County,” announced Rosenthal.

When asked how the office plans to handle the growing caseload, Rosenthal said, “I truly believe that Harris County employs the best staff in the country. They work hard, are experts in their field, and will do what is necessary to handle the increased workload.”

NDAA is proud to have Rosenthal on its board of directors. He began working with NDAA in 1976 under District Attorney Carol Vance, who had great respect for the work of NDAA. After Vance’s retirement, Rosenthal left NDAA but has recently re-joined as a tribute to Vance. Rosenthal is currently working to get his office more involved in NDAA activities.

The criminal justice system has had an impact on Rosenthal’s life both professionally and personally. His dedication to justice is something that he shares with his wife who spent her career working with the FBI. The two met at a kidnapping investigation a number of years ago and have been happily married ever since.

To new prosecutors, Rosenthal lends this reminder, “Prosecutors have the best job in the world. We have an interest in public integrity and there is something new every single day.”

In his 29 years as a prosecutor, Rosenthal has worked his fair share of interesting, meaningful and challenging cases. “I am often asked which of my cases stands out or is the most important, and my answer is ‘all of them.’ No individual case is more significant than the next.” And every case Rosenthal works has an affect on him. “Bad things inevitably happen to good people, and this is something we, as prosecutors, experience every day. It makes it impossible to feel sorry for yourself.”

He looks forward to continuing his work as the Harris County district attorney and plans to seek a third term.

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