Dallas County District Attorney's Office

Healing from mental health and substance use issues is not just the absence of symptoms. It is a stable home, meaningful connection, and the tools to move forward. That is the promise of whole-person care.

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support

Our office was honored to be part of the Conference on Crimes Against Women, alongside thousands of professionals dedicated to addressing gender-based violence.

This powerful training event featured over 250 workshops, case studies, and hands-on labs led by national experts. Sessions covered critical topics including domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking, forensic genetic genealogy, civil and family law, and law enforcement response protocols.

We are especially proud that members of our team not only attended, but also presented at the conference -- sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and contributing to important conversations aimed at better serving survivors.

Grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and continue advancing this important work.

Being there for someone through a difficult moment can include helping them connect to support. 988 is available 24/7. Call or text anytime, anywhere in the U.S. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Learn more: 988lifeline.org

In observance of Memorial Day, Dallas County offices are closed today, Monday, May 25, 2026.

We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 8:00 am.

Today we had the special honor of celebrating Charlotte Settle and her incredible 35 years of service with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office!

Charlotte is our Legal Secretary in the Specialized Crime Division, and she is truly the backbone of the operation. Her dedication, care, and steady presence have supported countless attorneys and cases over the years.

We are so grateful for Charlotte and everything she brings to the office. What an amazing milestone! 🎉

Thank you to for inviting Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot to serve as keynote speaker at your luncheon this week!

DA Creuzot spoke about the importance of transitional housing, specialty courts, and reentry programs in helping people successfully rebuild their lives and reconnect with their communities. These resources are vital in creating long-term stability, accountability, and hope.

We are grateful to founder Karen Green and the entire Haven of Love team for their mission to bring healing and restoration to women affected by human trafficking, domestic violence, addiction, and incarceration. Your work is changing lives every day.

We were also honored by the beautiful tree planting dedicated in DA Creuzot’s honor! A meaningful reminder of growth, healing, and second chances.

District Attorney John Creuzot recently sat down with Enterhealth's Treatment Redefined podcast to talk about addiction, recovery, accountability, and how treatment-centered approaches can help strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration between the criminal justice system and treatment providers in creating better long-term outcomes.

Thank you to for having us and to everyone who helped make the episode possible.

Full episode coming soon!

When we understand mental health challenges can be at the root of addiction, we start asking 'how can we help?’ with no judgement. That question alone can make a big difference.

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support

🌟DA STAFF SPOTLIGHT🌟

Melinda Shelton is a force of empathy, comfort, and guidance in her role as our Homicide Family Advocate.

“We are the first point of contact when the case is submitted to the office. We link the family with community resources. From there we let them know what to expect going forward. We are there every step of the way from next of kin meetings to bond hearings to trial.”

Before joining the DA’s Office in 2016, Melinda worked with children with autism and at her local mental health authority. Her path was always rooted in service, shaped in part by her upbringing as the child of a law enforcement officer.

“I knew I always wanted to help, and I always found myself in one way or serving others in any job I took.”

Melinda began her career here as a victim advocate in our Family Violence Division, later working in Protective Orders before stepping into her current role.
Today, she brings both expertise and compassion to some of the most difficult moments a family can face. She is also bilingual, a skill that serves as yet another superpower in her work with families navigating tragedy.

“Spanish is my first language. I’m really happy to know I can help some of our families who would really be lost due to the language barrier. You build a relationship with them. You really are the shepherd. It feels good knowing I am filling in the void for what they can expect.”

When she’s not guiding families through the court process, Melinda stays just as busy at home. She’s raising three boys under the age of three, so there’s never a dull moment! And when baseball season rolls around, you can bet she’s cheering on the Rangers.
And we’re cheering for Melinda, too. Thank you for all you do -- for our office and for every family you serve.

Today we welcomed 46 interns to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for our first session of the summer! 🎉

Students from schools across Texas and around the country joined us this morning for orientation, where District Attorney John Creuzot and members of our administration team shared what they can expect during their time with our office.

We’re excited to help this group learn, grow and gain hands-on experience, and we’re looking forward to the fresh perspectives and energy they’ll bring to our team this summer.

Welcome to the DA’s Office! ⚖️👏