DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S RACE LURES A DEMOCRAT

One Democrat so far has signed up for a March primary berth in the Harris
County district attorney's race: former Wise County Attorney Stephen Hale,
who now is working for a local courier service.

Hale said Monday that he dismissed more than 500 misdemeanor possession of
marijuana cases while serving as Wise county attorney from 1993 to 1996,
"because it was the right thing to do."

Hale said his stance cost him re-election in 1996. Subsequently, during a
1998 campaign for Denton County district attorney, he was arrested on
charges of delivery of marijuana.

Eventually, Hale said, he withdrew his plea of guilty in the case and the
judge dismissed the indictment. He said the State Bar of Texas suspended his
law license until October 2000, one month before the election.

Hall said his campaign is a repudiation of prevailing drug policy, which he
said punishes the perpetrators of victimless crimes that do not endanger the
community.

"I don't really think I'll win, but the way I see it, it's an issue that
needs to be addressed," Hale said.