Alfonso Salazar – Hays County Criminal District Attorney

Alfonso Salazar

 

What is your work history, including current employment? Please respond in a list format.

Military Police Officer for the United States Air Force, Air National Guard, State of Texas 2008-2020

3-year bar card prosecutor for the Williamson County District Attorney Felony Division Summer 2016

Judicial Clerk for the McLennan County Courts at Law, Fall 2016-2017

Solo practitioner focused on criminal, family, and probate law in Bexar, Williamson, and Travis Counties, 2018-2019

Associate for Dunham and Jones focusing on criminal defense 2020-2021

Managing Partner and Co-Owner of Citizen Defense, PLLC, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights, 2021-present

 

What is your educational history, including degrees received, licenses, professional credentials, etc.? Please respond in a list format.

Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training - July 2008

Taser- train the trainer certificate - 2009-2019

United States Air Force Security Forces Academy (Military Police) - March 2009

3P051B Security Forces Journeyman (Advanced law enforcement skills) - June 2010

United States Air Force Combat Arms Apprentice Course (weapons instructor certification) - March 2011

Combat Arms 5 Level (Advance weapons instructor certification) - July 2012

The University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Arts in Government W/ Certification of European Studies - December 2012

Airman Leadership School (Supervisor training) - April 2013

3P071-Security Forces Craftsman (Advanced law enforcement supervisor training) - June 2015

Baylor University School of Law, Juris Doctor - April 2017

Licensed with the State Bar of Texas - November 2017

 

What is your history of supporting Democratic organizations and/or candidates prior to your run for office?

I have attended and participated in the Hays County and state-level Democratic conventions. I have been a member of some Democratic groups in the past but mainly to stay informed about important local issues. My personal and professional life didn’t leave me with the bandwidth that a leadership role in the groups would have deserved. However, when Kelly Higgins asked me to be his campaign manager for his 2022 district attorney campaign, I had to put all that aside and commit to helping.

 

What, if any, experience do you have with non-partisan volunteering and community engagement in Hays County?

Transitioning out of the military to managing my own law firm didn’t leave me much time or the know-how for volunteering and community engagement in Hays County. I, however, do go back to Baylor Law School and judge several of their student competitions. I mentor a student that is currently enrolled at Texas State as he prepares to go to law school. My partner and I have been active with the MS Society in advocating for health reform for those with MS or other chronic long-term illnesses. A lot of our work focused on pharmacy benefit managers.  Our work was mostly done through correspondence with our US Representative, Greg Casar.  We also gave back to the community this year through various holiday charities.

 

What area(s) of the law have you practiced?

When I was a young attorney, I fell into that trap of taking any case that presented itself. I have done some family law and probate, but it was not my passion. Since 2019 I have only practiced criminal law and later added civil rights. These were the two areas of law that drew me to law school. Practicing criminal law makes me feel like I work toward the true pursuit of justice. Years of our lives are finite, and if I can reach a particular punishment as a prosecutor that fits the crime and it betters society once it’s all said and done, then that’s justice. If I can defend an innocent person or simply work towards a punishment that is beneficial for the defendant and community as a whole, then that’s justice.  When it comes to civil rights, for me it is an extension of a criminal case. If those who are meant to lead or protect are doing harm, holding them accountable is justice. Many times, it’s only a moral or monetary victory, but at least they know I am watching and will not let their poor decisions and behavior continue to erode the trust of our community.

 

How do you feel about abortion access?

I feel that we risk a slippery slope when we allow the law to parcel out our medical needs or wants. The government has never made anything easier, and family planning is already difficult enough. Our current discussion on abortion seems to be framed as equality, the decision of the father, and the right of the fetus to continue to grow, which is an academic exercise. They seem to be leaving out that the only person that must endure the pregnancy is the woman. Because of this simple fact, there should not be an academic argument about who can and cannot make these decisions. This medical procedure should be available to women, and the decision should be hers and her medical teams’ alone.

 

The rule of law is under unprecedented attack in America. How can we trust you to defend the rights of all Hays County people even in the face of pressure from the state and federal government?

The Nation seems to be experiencing a common personal struggle. Many times, someone will try and tell you who you are and what you are capable of.  I have fought every day to better myself and give myself new opportunities.  This required me to punch up, never down. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and the fabric of America, and I will honor that oath until the day I die. As an enlisted member of the Armed Forces, I challenged officers and enlisted leaders with years of experience and several ranks above me. It didn’t matter who they were or what they could do to my career; I only cared about my troops below me and what was right. As a criminal defense attorney, I fight the government representatives every day for the rights of the innocent or fairness for the guilty. Sometimes the fact that everyone involved in these cases are people is lost; brimstone and fire only leave a scorched community. The law should guide us towards a peaceful and safe home. As a civil rights attorney, again, I go after those who violate the rule of law. A leader and public servant should only answer to the people, and I plan to. I want to be the District Attorney and a face and champion of the community. The only way you can truly feel safe and understand that I will defend us against the state, federal government, or anyone else trying to infringe on our rights is to give me the opportunity to fight for you.

 

What will you do to support alternatives to incarceration for people guilty of minor crimes or people with mental health issues?

Diversion courts are great for things like personal use drug charges or some nonviolent crimes. Mental health courts are helpful as well, but I currently think there are bigger issues being overlooked. I want to be more proactive. Are our neighbors committing crimes because they are unhoused, suffering from mental health issues, or can’t afford necessities? We need to challenge other leaders to address these issues before they turn to crimes. With mental health we need resources to support law enforcement officers in the field. We need resources and locations that can help people before someone needs to call 911. We also need more resources for our incompetent community members that end up in jail. Housing these individuals in jail while they wait for treatment can be dangerous and cruel. My focus in the courthouse will always be the safety of the community. Does prosecuting this case make our community safer?  My focus outside the courthouse will be to find those that can make our community safer and work with them to get it done.

 

Some people are being held in pre-trial incarceration for long periods of time. How will you address the backlog of cases and speed up the justice process while respecting the rights of the victim and the accused?

I think this will be solved with my primary focus. When you elect me as the new District Attorney, I will bolster the intake division. This section of the office will be the bridge between law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office. If the case isn’t going to be filed, we will let law enforcement know and why. If the case needs more evidence, we can let law enforcement know right away so there is no delay of justice. This section of the office will also work closely with law enforcement to ensure future cases come in as complete as possible and with the type of evidence needed for each unique case. The intake division will also monitor the field engagement of our law enforcement; if those actions are not moving us towards a safer community, they will be addressed. I will also be having meetings with the Defense Bar to address why cases are not being completed. Not all backlogged cases are due to the District Attorney’s office; some clients refuse to negotiate realistic deals and drag their cases on for as long as they can. I will discuss this with the Defense Bar. Are our offers unreasonable and disconnected, or does the defense bar need more time?

 

What democratic principles are most important to you and how will they inform your actions as District Attorney?

Equality and the rule of law. The rule of law will apply to all equally. My goal is a safe community, and to achieve that I will assist those that will accept the help. If a person refuses our help and is a danger to our community, they need to be removed from it.

Social programs. The Democratic platform has always sought to strengthen social programs. I will continue on that path but will also have a realistic and new perspective. If a program is not working, I am not afraid to admit that and then move along to the next option. Many people are afraid to say that something they tried has failed. I think the only failure is hanging on to something you know isn’t working. Our community deserves to continue moving forward until we figure out what will work for the long term.

Criminal justice reform. In the past other district attorneys have tried to be tough on crime; some have been labeled soft on crime. Crime is a symptom of a bigger issue. There are some people in our community that make conscious decisions to take advantage of the weak and endanger our society, but those are the few. Most of the cases that end up in the District Attorney’s office could have been avoided. Guidance, assistance, education, and opportunities are all most people need to avoid being in criminal court. I will do what needs to be done to improve the county, but a one-size-fits-all model doesn’t work. Justice reform comes from who is leading the office, not some sweeping declaration of how to rid a community of crime.

 

Yes or no, did you use AI to assist you in answering any of these questions?

No