Justice And Equality for All
My name is Amber Givens and I am the Presiding Judge of the 282nd Judicial District Court in Dallas County, Texas. As a former Assistant District Attorney, I've witnessed firsthand the issues plaguing our legal system. I have committed my entire career to public service and feel compelled to continue serving in a capacity that provides the needed leadership to ensure justice and equality for all.
It is critically important that we remain focused on ensuring that justice and equality for all is a reality. My Court works aggressively to ensure that the rights of the victims and those accused are simultaneously protected. My service in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps taught me just how invaluable alternative justice programs can be to delivering justice at minimal costs to tax payers.
Since I took office on January 1, 2015, I have implemented two alternative justice programs, The Word of Mouth series and the Empowerment Program. The Word of Mouth series is an enlightening series about criminal law and the legal system. The goal of the series is to demystify the criminal justice system. The panel discussions have delved into the following topics: grand jury, how to obtain counsel if you cannot afford an attorney, the difference between appointed and retained counsel, search warrants, the function of the Dallas County Public Defender's Office, how to obtain records from the Clerk's Office, voting rights of individuals that have served penitentiary sentences, the bail bond process, etc.
The Empowerment Program is a six month supplemental felony probation program that provides probationers with the necessary life skills and support needed to complete felony probation and 'pay it forward' to the community. The participants are paired with a mentor from the community to assist them. The program's curriculum includes components in these areas: life skills, educational advancement, career planning, and community involvement. The Empowerment Program partners with the following organizations to fulfill the curriculum: Aberg Center for Literacy, Jiffy Lube, Brebeautified Makeup, Cognosante, Comerica, Dallas County Clerk's Office, Dallas Life, Department of Public Safety, Goodwill Dallas, SMU, House of Renewed Hope, LIFT Education, Mountain View College, Social Security Administration, P.C., Texas Women's University, Toastmasters International, and Urban Girlz.
Thank you for your continued support in my journey to serve our community!
