The former judge offered her first public comments since being declared the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
By Jane Harper
Dallas Morning News
https://www.dallasnews.com/
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
Former judge Amber Givens said Thursday that her upset victory over Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot showed voters chose “a people-powered movement” over money and political influence.
Speaking at Antioch Fellowship Church in southern Dallas in her first appearance since Tuesday’s Democratic primary, she said the outcome proved that “justice in Dallas County is not for sale” after her low-budget campaign defeated the well-funded incumbent.
Givens, who is appealing judicial sanctions tied to her conduct on the bench, said her campaign spent less than $60,000 compared with more than $420,000 raised by Creuzot, a two-term incumbent.
“What ultimately decided this election was not money,” she said. “It was the people of Dallas County. The people of Dallas County spoke louder than money, louder than endorsements and louder than any political machine.”
She described the win as proof that voters want a justice system “built by the people,” and pledged to work with supporters and critics alike as she prepares to take over the office early next year.
Among her plans is the creation of community justice councils that will bring residents, community leaders, victims and “justice system stakeholders” together to ensure that the office remains “grounded in the needs of the people we serve.”
She also wants to work with the Dallas County Commissioners Court to fund and establish a prosecutorial intake division. It would allow law enforcement to work with prosecutors at the earliest stage of a case. Officers would be able to connect with the office before an arrest so they can determine whether charges are warranted and begin securing evidence for prosecutors.
“My responsibility as district attorney-elect is to ensure that the justice system works for everyone in Dallas County,” Givens said. “Every victim, every accused person, every neighborhood, every ZIP code.”
Givens saluted voters, volunteers and community leaders who backed her campaign, describing it as a grassroots “people-powered movement.”
“When the people stand together, the outcome belongs to them,” she said.
Critics speak out
While her supporters celebrated her victory, her detractors had concerns.
Amanda Branan, former president of the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said she’s “gotten a lot of phone calls. There’s a lot of people freaking out.”
“It’s scary to think she’s going to be the next district attorney. She couldn’t even run her court very efficiently and now she’s going to be the DA? It’s upsetting that somebody who has treated people with such disrespect in her courtroom and has been so untruthful has won.”
Among Branan’s concerns is the potential loss of talented prosecutors in the DA’s office, either through resignations or Givens “cleaning house.”
“Even before the election, they (local prosecutors) were talking about how they’re going to need to find jobs if she gets elected,” Branan said.
Givens received a public reprimand and an admonishment from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct last year after allegations she allowed her court coordinator to stand in for her during an August 2021 bond hearing. The commission also said Givens treated attorneys poorly on three occasions and took action in two criminal cases after she had been recused.
Attorney Bruce Anton, who serves as a Democratic Party precinct chair, said Thursday he was still trying to comprehend how Givens won.
“I just can’t understand what would make some people vote that way,” Anton said. “Clearly, Creuzot was the most qualified candidate. He’s done an amazing job. I’m not aware of anyone criticizing anything his office has done. If he didn’t get every endorsement, he certainly got the lion’s share of them.”
Defends record
Givens did not take questions after her remarks at the church. Later, in an interview with KTVT-TV (Channel 11), she brushed aside criticism about her time on the bench, including complaints about how she ran her courtroom.
She said her rulings were never overturned during her 11 years as a judge and insisted her decisions were always based on “the law and the facts,” not personalities.
She also said she could work with county commissioners who did not endorse her, saying she expects “clarity, accountability and respect” in the district attorney’s office and that those standards will apply to staff, victims and those accused of crimes.
Creuzot, who conceded Wednesday after the final results were released, thanked supporters, voters and his family, and congratulated Givens.
With no Republican in the race, Givens is expected to take office after the November general election. Her four-year term would begin in January.
Givens’ plans as DA
In her first appearance since the primary, Democrat Amber Givens outlined several priorities she said will guide the district attorney’s office:
Create “community justice councils.” Givens said the advisory groups would bring together residents, victims, clergy and others so policies remain grounded in community needs.
Launch a prosecutorial intake division. Working with the Dallas County Commissioners Court, she said the unit would allow police to consult prosecutors earlier in investigations to evaluate charges and begin securing evidence before arrests are made.
Prioritize evidence-based prosecutions. Givens said stronger early case reviews would allow solid cases to move forward while identifying weak ones sooner, protecting victims, the accused and the integrity of the justice system.
Ensure fairness for victims and the accused. She said the office must ensure victims receive answers while those accused of crimes are treated fairly under the law.
Rebuild public trust in the justice system. Givens said the district attorney’s office should be community-centered, transparent and accountable to Dallas County residents.
By Jane Harper
Jane Harper is the senior courts reporter for The Dallas Morning News. A native of Port Arthur, she earned her journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has covered the courts beat at newspapers in Texas, Maryland and Virginia. In 2021, she was named Outstanding Journalist of the Year by The Virginia Press Association.
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
