Chuck Rosenthal (district attorney)
| Chuck Rosenthal | |
|---|---|
| District Attorney of Harris County, Texas | |
|
In office January 1, 2001 – February 15, 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Johnny Holmes |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Magidson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles A. Rosenthal February 7, 1946 Alice, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Cindy Rosenthal |
| Residence | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Baylor University and South Texas College of Law |
Charles A. Rosenthal (born February 7, 1946) is an American lawyer and former District Attorney of Harris County, Texas.
Born in Alice, Texas, and raised Baptist, Rosenthal attended Houston public schools, received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University, and went to law school at South Texas College of Law. He served as Harris County assistant district attorney under Carol Vance starting in March 1977.
After his predecessor, Johnny Holmes, retired, Rosenthal was elected Harris County District Attorney after facing Pat Lykos, County Attorney Michael Stafford and many others in the Republican primary. He was re-elected in 2004.
On March 26, 2003, he argued before the Supreme Court of the United States in Lawrence v. Texas that laws against sodomy are constitutional. His performance was later described as "the worst oral argument in years", but some believe his lack of preparation reflected his lack of enthusiasm for the statute he was defending. The Court disagreed, holding 6-3 that prosecutions for private sexual conduct violates the United States Constitution.
On February 15, 2008, Rosenthal resigned as Harris County district attorney, following the filing of a lawsuit petitioning for his removal from office. The press release issued by Rosenthal suggests substance abuse played a part in his decision. Rosenthal's official release claims, "Although I have enjoyed excellent medical and pharmacological treatment, I have come to learn that the particular combination of drugs prescribed for me in the past has caused some impairment in my judgment."
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