Amber Givens, the Dallas County Judge, has been sanctioned by the state’s judicial authority following serious allegations regarding her conduct during court proceedings.
According to a disciplinary document obtained by The Dallas Morning News, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct determined that Givens had ordered her court coordinator to impersonate her during an online hearing.
The commission’s findings reveal a pattern of behavior in which Givens allegedly disrespected attorneys, exhibited bias or prejudice, and demonstrated a concerning lack of competence in legal matters.
These allegations were initially brought to light by the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, which filed complaints seeking Givens’ recusal from several cases.
As a result of these findings, Givens received a reprimand on June 23, which the commission described as conduct that ‘is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of her judicial duties and cast public discredit upon [the] judiciary.’
The executive director of the commission, Jacqueline Habersham, confirmed the disciplinary action in an email to The News, noting that official details would not be available until July 10.
In response to the reprimand, Givens expressed her disagreement through her lawyer, Russell Wilson II.
He claimed that the commission’s conclusions were the result of a politically motivated attack, pointing to statements from law enforcement that he says contradict the commission’s findings.
The complaints against Givens stemmed from a 2021 incident in which a court coordinator allegedly acted improperly by taking on the judge’s role during a virtual bail hearing.
In her defense, Givens argued that the grievances were politically driven. Despite an investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Kaufman County district attorney’s office, no criminal charges were brought against her or her court coordinator.
The reprimand highlights discrepancies in Givens’ statements, noting that her testimony to the State Commission contradicted the findings provided by the Rangers.
Specifically, the Rangers’ 64-page investigative file detailed an eight-second phone call between Givens and the coordinator during the hearing in question, while Givens testified that her call had lasted about a minute.
The concerns raised by the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association also included accusations of Givens exhibiting a ‘poor judicial temperament,’ as well as being aggressive and condescending toward attorneys during court proceedings.
In a 2022 survey, a substantial number of defense attorneys sought Givens’ recusal from over 100 cases, expressing fears that they could not receive fair trials under her oversight.
In addition to the findings related to the impersonation incident, Givens has faced scrutiny for recording a phone call with the presiding judge overseeing motions for her removal.
Wilson stated that the commission appeared to have a greater issue with the lawful recording than with its content, noting that Texas law allows one-party consent for recording.
Later in 2023, Givens was removed from involvement in a high-profile murder case after a dispute over prosecutors failing to disclose complete evidence, leading to allegations of bias against her.
Her approach to managing her courtroom has also drawn criticism; last year, Givens’ initiatives aimed at expediting trials led to an overwhelming number of cases—nearly 120—being scheduled on the same day.
This created chaos and anxiety for legal professionals navigating her court, damaging the rapport between Givens and many trial attorneys.
A 2017 survey conducted by the Dallas Bar Association indicated that 68% of attorneys believed Givens’ demeanor needed improvement; this number increased to 75% in 2021 and surged to 91% in the most recent 2023 poll.
Despite these challenges, Givens, who oversees felony cases in the 282nd District Court—including those with potential death penalty outcomes—has aimed to implement reforms within the county’s criminal justice system since taking office in 2015.
She has been involved in efforts to ensure fair legal representation for indigent defendants and has contributed to the creation of various restorative justice programs.
With her current term set to expire soon, Givens is preparing for reelection in the coming year.
image source from：dallasnews
