Current Role & Responsibilities
Christi Bustos is currently a Felony Supervisor of Felony Group D. She supports the Assistant Public Defenders and clients in Criminal District Court Number 4, the 265th District Court and the 283rd District Court. Christi assists with general docket when needed to help ensure Public Defender Clients are seen and served with timeliness and care. She strategizes with APDs on complex cases, hearings, and trials. She works with Felony Public Defenders that represent clients at all stages of a case- from initial intake to disposition.
Education & Background
Christi graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science Degree double majoring in Human & Organizational Development (HOD) and Political Science. After graduating college, Christi joined Teach for America as an elementary teacher in Cashion, Arizona then moved to Austin, Texas to work at a non-profit for public schools. From there she attended law school and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 2010.
Indigent defense was a focus during law school and Christi first joined the Dallas County Public Defenders Office in 2009 as an intern. She left a second internship with the office to start her first law job in her hometown of Lamesa, Texas. There she served as an assistant district attorney for the four county 106th Judicial District. Missing indigent defense, Christi came back to Dallas County in 2012 as an Assistant Public Defender. She was promoted to Felony Supervisor in May 2025.
Certifications & Areas of Expertise
During her time at the Public Defender’s Office Christi has participated in specialty courts and learned so much about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Trauma Informed Care. Trainings she’s attended have influenced her application of holistic representation practices to all clients. She is keen on efficient methods and has provided presentations and direct assistance on time and docket management. Benefiting from incredible mentors throughout her time in law school and her career, Christi tries to pay that forward with other attorneys and students.
Values & Motivation
The opportunity to advocate for the indigent is an incredible responsibility and Christi values any time she gets to serve as that voice or support other public defenders in their advocacy. Understanding our clients, their concerns, and goals is at the heart of Christi’s work.
