In response to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins declared a local disaster for public health emergency and issued a “Stay Home Stay Safe” order effective 11:59 p.m. on March 23, 2020. Dallas County will continue to respond to requests for public information as timely as possible. However, due to the impact on Dallas County operations, response deadlines will be calculated pursuant to the guidance issued by the Texas Attorney General. Thank you for your understanding.
For more information, click here.
For additional information from the Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, click here.
Welcome to the Office of the Dallas County District Attorney. I’m John Creuzot your newly elected District Attorney. I am honored to bring more than three decades of experience in the criminal justice system, including more than 21 years as a felony district court judge, to the citizens of Dallas County.
I believe that Justice is HARD work and HEART work. That’s why I have spent my career seeking justice for victims of crimes while pioneering ways to reduce recidivism for first time offenders. If you really care about the justice system like I do, it’s important to understand it’s not just about locking up repeat offenders and hardened criminals. It’s also about giving second chances to people who deserve second chances.
In 1998, I established Dallas County’s first-ever specialty court for drug offenses, known as DIVERT (Dallas Initiative for Expedited Recovery and Treatment), which allows selected first-time offenders to go through intensive, court-monitored rehabilitation instead of facing incarceration. The program has seen great success. Graduates of DIVERT have been able to turn their lives around and become thriving, productive members of society.
Additionally, several independent studies conducted by Southern Methodist University showed that DIVERT saved taxpayers $9 million in criminal justice costs for every $1 spent on participants in the program. DIVERT has proven to change lives and save taxpayers money.
I hope you will join me in my efforts to continue to seek innovative approaches to reducing mass incarceration while also being tough on dangerous criminals and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.
As your District Attorney, I will always seek fair and equal justice for the residents of Dallas County while maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior and transparency.
John Creuzot
Dallas County District Attorney
