So when Hawk fired him, it sent a signal that, just three months into her term, the office was in turmoil. He reopened Spencer's case, the first D.A. } I tried to tell her, Youve got a major story coming. The two hugged. She accused him of acquiring a key from a locksmith, breaking into her house, and stealing a compromising photograph of her taking a shot off the belly of a bartender during a bachelorette party. She listened more than she talked. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022. But then Hawk said in an interview that there had been a personality clash and that the office deserves a united front at the top. Wirskye fired back. Woodlief had turned over Hawks campaign to a longtime consultant in her office. She hired a new public relations coordinator, without thinking through where the salary would come from. Creuzot said he . In 1998, Creuzot started a program called the Dallas Initiative for Diversion and Expedited Rehabilitation and Treatment (DIVERT Court).

Dallas County District Attorney - Wikipedia While the Dallas District Attorney race may be a rematch, a lot has width: 100%; I didnt know about this either., Im just telling you, Hawk said. Over time, Hawk bonded with the other professionals. The car was quiet. What did she need to manage, and what did she need to leave in others hands? color:white; She was particularly interested in John Creuzot, a black Democrat who had been a respected state district judge for 21 years. background-color: grey; It was monogrammed with an M, for Menninger. She said she was flying to the East Coast for back surgery. Kill herself? But Creuzot, who is African American, also shares a philosophical stance with many reformer DAs in more liberal states. .survey-result {padding:10px;} I was scared. Then the talk turned weird, a little dark. The Land Rover pulled up at the Menninger Clinic, a collection of brick buildings connected by winding sidewalks and well-tended beds. She seemed rattled, confused. Please dont ask me what I do for a living, she kept thinking. But there was no one left who knew how to do that. She called me and apologized, Milner says. But Hawk wanted to work directly with Woodlief. This version of Judge Hawk, the attractive blonde in the tailored suit, charming a crowd in a hotel conference room in Austin, was the one people had come to know at the courthouse. }) She was absolutely convinced that someone had planted something in her phone and her computer, Creuzot says. When I asked Creuzot about it, he said he had learned from years as a judge that one cant control a jury. Balido asked if she could resign, and Hawk let her do it. She spent two days there, sick and vomiting, her body convulsing as she went through opioid withdrawal. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. After one staff meeting, Hawk summoned Balido to her office. When Hawk told him that she wanted to leave, he made her promise to stay in treatment, to go to every group session, to try. .results_row { Most chalked up her odd behavior to the enormous pressure of running the office. A grand jury later indicted her for murder, and Creuzots office prosecuted a murder trial, which began at the end of September. I can honestly say that.. It would be a long, uphill climb. As people introduced themselves, Hawk felt her anxiety rise. Democratic candidate for Dallas County DA John Creuzot | wfaa.com U.S. President | [1][2][3] The office prosecutes offenses under Texas state law classified as felonies, Class A and B misdemeanors, appeals of Class C misdemeanors (punishable by fine only), and Class C misdemeanors filed in the Justice of the Peace courts, generally by non-municipal police agencies. Another top lieutenant, Jennifer Balido, was across the hall. ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } The center works to ensure successful substance abuse treatment and reintegration into the community. By lunchtime, she had made plans to check in the next afternoon. } } .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} So in the fall of 2013, Hawk missed the job that defined her, felt separated from friends at the courthouse, and realized her marriage was failing. I promise., For the next few days, Hawk mostly stayed in bed. Im going to be district attorney one day, she told him. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot said Tuesday he will end a double standard when his prosecutors present criminal cases to grand juries. Retired judge and now full-time criminal defense attorney John Creuzot is a nationally recognized expert in drug courts, criminal justice reform and evidence-based sentencing. Listen, Hawk said, according to Balido. background-color: #ccc; The facility is coordinated with the Dallas Community Supervision and Corrections Department and the Dallas County Courts. They were both blond, in their 40s. She flew back to Dallas alone in early November. It felt so intrusive, Hawk recalls. Hawk popped into their offices, noticing how many framed photographs they hadballgames and birthday parties, happy family lives unfolding at home. Elections in 2023 | } .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h5.votebox-header-election-type { I sound insensitive, and I dont want to, but they will use their mental illness as a crutch, Hawk told an audience at a judicial conference in 2012. Hawk would sit in her office, firing off ideas like pinballs. But as the meeting ended, Wirskye worried about Hawks mental state. Madson would scribble them all down, then go back to her office and draft extensive outlines and to do lists. I never forgot that.. Hawk already had told Woodlief so much, but in here, she felt suddenly embarrassed. After the watch party at Meso Maya, past midnight, Woodlief and Hawk returned to Woodliefs house. I mean, weve all known each other for two decades. .non_result_row th { In the coming weeks, Woodlief and her team. font-weight: 200; Since John Creuzot was elected Dallas County District Attorney, murders have risen to the highest level in over a decade. display: inline-block; I was both sad and mad, Milner says. When Hawk had expensessuch as having her office painted, then repaintedshe sent Balido the bill. Most disturbingly, right after the trial ended, a key witness who had testified against Guyger, Joshua Brown, was murdered, raising speculation about whether his death was linked to his testimony. The district attorney, Bill Hill, promoted her to deputy chief when Hawk asked to take over a backlog of 100 old child abuse cases that had languished for more than three years. She missed the authority and power that came with her black robe. Balido ended up writing a personal check for the painter. padding-left: 0; She grudgingly sat down on the couch in the large common area, filled with games and a big-screen television. But sometime around her 40th birthday, about three years earlier, Hawk says, shed hurt her back. But in the coming days, Hawk felt despair. I felt like I was doing all this work, and she couldnt be bothered to return my calls.. .indicate_scroll { Hay was the one who knew how to research peoples phones, find browser histories on computers. A couple of her closest supporters had put together the event as a casual fundraiser to help her pay off some of her campaign debt. George Milner III was a young prosecutor at the time. margin-bottom: 0; Hawk agreed to give it one more week. That compares to the 52,000 that were reported in February. Incumbent John Creuzot defeated Elizabeth Davis Frizell in the Democratic primary for Dallas County District Attorney on March 1, 2022. } padding-left: 16px; $('.showResponses').hide(); If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. But by 11 pm, the election was called. width: 100%; Source. No mystery, but plenty of intrigue, in John Creuzot's campaign for .votebox_bp_logo { Think through the fallout. Hawk wondered whether Woodlief was right, but she had already made the unusual move of summoning the entire 450-employee staff, including 260 busy prosecutors. She had asked a friend, Judge Molly Francis, to swear her in. She seemed unsettled by gatherings of people, as if she worried they were talking about her. Woodlief talked to several potential candidates. Youre going to get better, she said. Hawk was determined to get through the storm, to keep working. ing at the Whole Foods in Highland Park one day in October 2013. .results_row td { But local newspapers were publishing op-eds questioning whether he had overstepped his boundaries and worrying about lawlessness. Woodlief saw promise in Hawk as a candidate. a.communitylink { color:black; font-weight:bold; } I would do anything to protect this office., No, Hawk said. I dont want to work with these people, she said years later at a legal conference, to laughs. .infobox p { View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { Before long, people would notice Hawks absence. Dallas County. Hawk looked at her, partly amused, partly annoyed. Woodlief said Hawk was on summer break.. Was the cord long enough to strangle herself? Seeking to extend the success of court rehabilitation programs, Creuzot established the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility Re-Entry Court in 2001, a program dedicated to helping formerly-incarcerated individuals adjust to normal life and work. 2023, John Creuzot Campaign, overflow-y: hidden; Hawk and Woodlief first met at the start of the election season in 2013. It was dark when Woodlief walked outside. Ugly headlines. You are this office. Friends of hers whod been involved in previous races with Watkins wanted her to fire Woodlief and hire someone more aggressive. He has lectured and taught courses at the National Drug Court Institute, the National Judicial College, and the National Center for State Courts. The clear way to go in this campaign was to just present a contrast. That evening, Hawk stepped into the wood-paneled back room of The Capital Grille at the Crescent Hotel. But most around the courthouse knew the outline of Hawks life. background-color: #003388; season in 2013. Creuzot, alongside another prosecutor, was uneasy with Vances handling of the case and resigned from the office shortly after. At 47, she is now president of the firm, which mostly handles public relations and public affairs for companies such as Walmart, Microsoft, and Uber. font-weight: 300; She had several bottles of pills in her purse. In one incident, he rear-ended a driver on the Dallas North Tollway, used more than $60,000 in forfeiture funds from his office to pay for the damage, and had the other driver sign a non-disclosure agreement to cover up the accident. He was well-liked around the office. } Elections 2022 She would often see Balido and Wirskye meeting behind closed doors. Other employees on the 11th floor also say that Hawk was moody, agitated, and paranoid. In a few hours, Hawk was supposed to board a flight to San Antonio, where she was booked to speak on a panel of district attorneys. top: 0px; Then all of a sudden Id call her, and she wouldnt call me back, says attorney Milner. John Creuzot (Democratic Party) is the Dallas County District Attorney in Texas. Her brother is seven years older. The two women studied each other across the conference table, with a wall of windows overlooking the city skyline. I didnt know what was going to happen to me. Will you help me?. They prescribed new medications and helped her craft a 22-page wellness plan that would guide her treatment after she left. margin-top: 0px; I have heard there might be discussion about me or discussion about my personal life, Hawk said. Tell me whats going on., I cant do this anymore, Hawk said. Political advertising paid by JohnCreuzot Campaign, Albert Black,Treasurer. This wedding was not as stately as the first. display: inline-block; She told reporters that Hawks absence was nothing to worry about. In three recent high-profile incidents of police violence in Dallas County, Creuzot has dismissed charges, or declined to bring them in the first place. Go back to living in her dark duplex? While most of the prominent DAs are in Democratic states, Creuzot, a former judge who has been registered as both a Democrat and a Republican, has emerged as one of the highest-profile DAs trying. Hawk began losing weight. Amid the early backlash over his petty-theft policy change, Creuzot worked to control the narrative as best he could. Woodlief saw Shook and Creuzots presence at her conference table as an asset. She would stay out late dancing at the Rio Room. They sat in the living room, talking and laughing. According to those numbers published in July, 17.8 percent of Black Americans older. .race_header.republican { } But Woodlief and Francis disagreed. ), Weeks earlier, when Creuzot and I spoke before the Guyger trial, he was candid about the limits of his office, in a jurisdiction plagued with mistrust between the community and criminal-justice authorities. Truth be told, Woodlief doesnt enjoy the political campaigns as much as she once did. Creuzot had 60.79% of the vote, while Johnson had 39.21% of the vote. display: inline-block; He pushed the phone across his desk. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot gave himself an excellent review in a 40-page "biennial report" released this month for ushering in policies he says decriminalize poverty and make. They were divided about the best strategy to beat Watkins. Hawk began spreading word that she would be out of town for a couple weeks. .votebox-results-metadata-p { To unseat the DA, Hawk didnt mind switching back to Republican. I had been talking to her a lot. We could all see that.. This Just In: Morning News Says DA Creuzot No Longer Crazy She was placed under one-on-one supervision, a nurse following her at every moment, to every class, to every meal. John Creuzot for DA Campaign padding-bottom: 3px; Can John Creuzot Reform Texas Prosecution? - The Atlantic These three cases to me would indicate that Creuzot is not going to be aggressive on police brutality, says John Fullinwider, a co-founder of the organization Mothers Against Police Brutality. The women sat down. Hawk made impulsive decisions, then demanded her staff work out the details. Then the friend called another friend of Hawks, county criminal court Judge Nancy Mulder, who drove over immediately. Federal courts | Creuzot continues to defend his policy of not prosecuting thefts between $100 and $750, if it isn't committed for financial gain. Re-Elect Judge John Creuzot border-radius: 50%; Ive got to get out of here, she told Woodlief. At tables, some adults sat coloring elaborate mandalas, a way of reducing stress. She had a million ideaspeople to meet, churches to visit, donors to persuadebut organizing these tasks seemed to elude her. As her health was improving, a story appeared on the front page of the, . $('.hideResponses').show(); The voters knew Craig Watkins. And she was considering taking them, a lot of them. display: block; And, for the first time, she confirmed going to rehab after taking pain pills to treat a back condition. She would work to convince everyone she was healthy. Woodlief handed Hawk a legal pad and asked her to make a list of everyone who knew shed gone to rehab. She turned heads at the courthouse. Hawk said she thought someone had broken into her house. margin-bottom: 1px; This program was the result of probing questions Creuzot began to ask about the outcomes for people and the community resulting from the criminal justice system at the time. Not only was Shooks loss to Watkins a personal defeat, the election cycle as a whole had been a blow to the Republican Party. Her marriage unraveled, and Hawk moved into a spare bedroom in Woodliefs house. Psychologists talked about regulating emotions, being mindful, but Hawk found it difficult to listen. The bombshell never dropped. Woodlief went out to the waiting room, as a psychiatrist joined Hawk. She felt stronger and began joining the other women in her unit for evening sessions of Guitar Hero on an Xbox. , the election was called. width: 100% !important; padding-bottom: 5px; Watkins had been dogged by talk that he hit the bottle too hard. She was drawn to the race for Dallas County district attorney. Shook was part of the old guard, a leader among a group of attorneys whod started as young prosecutors just out of law school, tried their first cases together, attended one anothers weddings, and become some of the most respected attorneys and judges in the city. Creuzot has lectured and directed seminars for the Texas Center for the Judiciary, the Texas Bar Association, and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. But she says from early on, she struggled to do that. I was in there with a bunch of folks who were schizophrenic and bipolar, and clearly off their meds, Hawk says. Woodlief texted a therapist friend for a recommendation. Im loyal to this office. .non_result_row div { Balido shook her head no. She wore a black dress, looking polished in her pumps and pearls, standing onstage before a crowd at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. She didnt yet know how much she would publicly share about her treatment, so she wanted to be careful about what she told Madson. Creuzot, a Democrat . overflow: hidden; While on the bench, though, he clashed with other judges who he felt were making decisions outside their legal authority. For years attorneys told stories about the party, about the drunken female judge dancing across the floor, doing kick lifts as if she were in aerobics class. } MAILING ADDRESS: } Eye on Politics: Race for Dallas Co. District Attorney, new governor's font-weight: bold; The Dallas County District Attorney is the elected, or appointed by the Texas Governor in the event of a vacancy, district attorney (DA) of Dallas County, Texas. She felt driven into a corner, with no good way out. They could be home by nightfall. overflow-y: hidden; Hit the deck. 929 Followers. To cope with the pain, she began taking prescription pills. In addition to his trusted service on both sides of the bench, Creuzot has earned a national reputation for his innovative work on drug courts, criminal justice reform and evidence-based sentencing. She would get to them when she could. She had planned to become a clinical psychologist but changed her mind after working in a mental health clinic. She had suffered bouts of sadness her whole life, as far back as seventh grade. Two days later, Mulder picked her up from the hospital, and they went to dinner. Faith Johnson advanced from the Republican primary for Dallas County District Attorney on March 1, 2022. Hawk had her own doubts about Woodlief and scheduled a meeting, intending to let her go. I know you dont want to die, Woodlief said. .votebox-results-cell--check { border:1px solid #FFB81F; } She started her Lexus SUV and steered it through the empty streets. Woodlief turned off the ignition. She was a star on the rise, says attorney Danny Clancy, who ran for DA against Watkins in 2010. } The political consultant who helped her navigate that switch and get re-elected: Craig Watkins wife, Tanya. The legacy of Creuzot's pioneering work is the expansive growth of diversion courts in Dallas County and beyond. .widget-key { For example, he has campaigned to increase the number of shelters in Dallas to keep up with a rising homeless population. She had always dreamed about being Dallas County district attorney. At the beginning of his career, Creuzot served for seven years as a Dallas County Assistant District Attorney and Chief Felony Prosecutor. top: -5px; max-height: 580px; Dallas DA John Creuzot ends grand jury double standard between police The refrigerator in her Highland Park duplex sat empty. She had always been athletic, running a couple times a week and going to hot yoga. One friendly nurse left a sticky note on her bathroom mirror, filled with drawings of miniature hearts. But early that morning of July 29, Hawk finally had a plan. The next morning, she walked into the Suicide Resilience group. Now they had no paycheck and no health insurance. He has regularly appeared in the news and on television as an expert on criminal justice topics. vertical-align: top; My first thought was, How do you do this to our friend Jennifer, who served with you as a prosecutor and a judge? text-align: left !important; If Hawk wanted to tell everyone, Woodlief said, then she should do it. John Creuzot wins Dallas County district attorney's race background-color: green; Over a year and a half ago, I decided I did not want to take it anymore, and I got help to quit taking it and havent taken any since, she said. border: 1px solid #999; She listened more than she talked. Afterward, Hawk and her staff moved into their 11th-floor offices. Dallas County DA John Creuzot gives himself high marks for first 2 Ms. Worried about an October surprise, a campaign-killing bombshell dropped right before the election, he says he asked Woodlief about the letter. Now, with a November showdown against Watkins looming, the pressure on Hawk mounted. We need to do something about it. But she was calm. I think Im going to get fired today, he often said. Inside the clinic, two staff members led Hawk back to her assigned room. And now, without her job providing the anchor it had for so many years, her personal problems took on a new urgency. .votebox_legend { .widget-row { As the sun rose, the women searched the internet for treatment programs. } Hawk learned that the. Without prescriptions, these people tended to self-medicate with street drugs, then commit crimes. margin-right: 12px; After about two weeks, I started thinking, Thats weird. She felt relieved. Too, Hawk had left behind a structured environment inside the Frank Crowley Courts Building, where staff arranged her calendar, and a crowded court docket provided a continuous stream of clearly defined objectives. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you. She would resign her office. font-size: 2em; position: absolute; Hawk remembers sitting in the passenger seat, gazing out the window. Mari Woodlief padded through her living room to unlatch a glass door that opened to the backyard. A doctor prescribed me medicine. It was a win for him and, some would say, for the city. She was known for running one of the most efficient courts in the county. In all likelihood, Woodlief said, the news would leak. } a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } Dallas County district attorney defends office amid 2022 - WFAA In her attempts to protect her friend, she created for her a public relations disaster. max-width: 600px; She rose from bed and drove to Woodliefs house. | padding-left: 10px; The center works to ensure successful substance abuse treatment and reintegration into the community. margin-right: 10px; var nTimer = setInterval(function() { Percy Creuzot - Wikipedia Photography by Dan Sellers on Wednesday, July 29, Hawk finally climbed out of bed. Tweets. Balido felt belittled, insulted. She was remarkable in a courtroom.. color: #0645ad; This page was last updated during the official's most recent election or appointment. It had the look of a high-end hotel, with built-in wooden furniture and a fluffy white duvet cover on the bed. margin-top: 1em; She noticed that when they left, doors locked behind them. I had, been talking to her a lot. The next day, her mother and brother drove her to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. Friends suspect that Hawk was efficient on the bench, in part, because of her attention deficit disorder. She later wished she had stepped away as Hawks spokesperson and instead turned over that role to the co-owner of her firm. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} He was named as a 'Pioneer Judge' by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals in June, 2000, for his contributions to the drug treatment court . I want to resign today, Hawk said. } It was a knock-down, criminal-courthouse, absolutely wild drunk-fest, says one lawyer who attended the reception at the old Routh Street Brewery. with them. Ms. Wirskye refused. If you dont come up and talk to me, then I will assume that there is no discussion and that it ends there., Some of you are not going to like me, and I dont care, she said. } } Looking back, both women see that meeting as the real beginning of their close friendship. .widget-row.Libertarian { She retracted her accusations. text-align: center; Dallas prosecutor says he won't charge families over transgender youth