Democrat Brandy Douglas wants local voters to support her in her attempt to become Grayson County’s next District Attorney.
Douglas will face John Kermit Hill in the race for DA. Early voting for the Nov. 5 election will begin on Oct. 21.
Douglas, a Denison native, graduated from Denison High School and attended University of North Texas where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Television and Film. She also earned a master’s degree in constitutional law from University of Texas at Dallas and a Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 2018.
A teacher before she attended law school, Doughlas taught in the Little Elm, Denison and Plano Independent School districts but always wanted to be a lawyer. She currently practices criminal defense and family law in Grayson County and surrounding areas.
She recently to answered questions about her plans for the Grayson County DA’s Office.
Q. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the district attorney’s office in the coming in years? How will you address that issue?
A. Recruiting and retaining talented and diverse attorneys to prosecute the growing level of crime and the growth in population that Grayson County is experiencing. I, in my years as a prosecutor and numerous trials, still grow daily in being a great criminal lawyer. It takes many “at bats” to be able to see what is coming. Nothing is certain, but at least each experience sharpens you.
We face an issue with elections in that parties select people to run based on being able to control a candidate and outcomes. From there you get bias in prosecution and being selective in what cases get indicted because it’s a system of favoritism instead of an independent office free of the political underhandedness. My solution – I am not bought, and not a part of anyone’s plan or agendas. My goal is a criminal justice system that is free of bias and favoritism.
Q. Do you see the elected DA as more of an administrator or as a litigator? Explain your answer and list your experience with each type of role.
A. Both. Elected District Attorneys are the lead prosecutors in each county in Texas. In larger counties, those DAs step in and litigate, especially the major cases such as murder or high-profile cases. It gives citizens the most confidence knowing they can trust the person they elect to be the one standing before a jury, to be the one fighting on their behalf. Additionally, that person has to handle administrative tasks, the budget for example. Anyone can do that. You don’t elect a DA for paperwork. You elect them to keep your county safe. As your DA, I will put my trial skills to work for you. There is not a lawyer alive who can prosecute a case in the manner it deserves when that lawyer has never done so. I’ve been a prosecutor and handled every type of case that could come up, and I’m excellent in front of a jury. In that role, I also handled administrative tasks such as budget issues and recruitment. And when I recruit, I can teach that person how to be a good prosecutor because I have done it and therefore can see, teach and correct. I will not have to trust that someone else is doing it right.
Q. A number of long-term attorneys have left the office recently, explain what you will be looking for in attorneys to replace those individuals and how you will attract those replacements.
A. I am looking for attorneys with a sound moral compass, a wonderful work ethic, a great attitude, no criminal history or pending charges, and an incomparable desire to pursue justice passionately. This DAs office has taken quite the hit in the media, and the public’s trust in our justice system has been rattled. While it’s unfortunate that many Assistant DAs have left, it’s understandable that there is uncertainty with this election. I have stated in interviews and in personal conversations with many of those that chose to resign that should I win, I want consistency as much as possible. However, I know many wonderful attorneys, because I am a criminal lawyer and work with them daily, who would love to come to work in an office where Brandy Douglas is the DA. Also, I will personally, immediately get to work taking cases to trial that I will personally handle, because I bring the knowledge and experience to be able to do so.
Q. Explain what you think about the importance of plea bargains to the justice system in Grayson County.
A. It is very important and useful in the administration of justice. Plea bargains are good for both the Prosecution and the Defense. There are certain cases, however that no plea offer is made. As a prosecutor, my offer was on many occasions that there is no plea offer. Those situations were reserved for more serious crimes that I felt a trial and a jury from the community should decide, just as our constitution gives defendants the right to have. Most cases filed are for low-level, misdemeanor offenses and plea bargaining allows the parties to choose predictability over unpredictability. This means that cases move faster and don’t clog up the system for other cases where victims may be waiting on their day in court and for their chance at justice. Many jails are overrun currently, largely due to the plea bargaining process not being used effectively.
Q. What will you do to hire and retain well qualified support staff at the District Attorney’s Office?
A. I will reach out to my colleagues that I know through being a prosecutor to get referrals on who are excellent prospects looking for opportunities. In my work in the Collin County DA’s office, I worked with many secretaries and support staff who live in Grayson County and would love to work here. They are good people and I would also love to have them. I will retain them by giving them training and support they need to be successful. I will create a positive office atmosphere and cohesiveness that makes people want to come to work. Although many have gone to other places for employment because of the nastiness that has taken place during this election, a few of them would consider coming back to work in a Brandy Douglas led District Attorney’s office as well. People want to be treated right and not be bogged down by personal agendas.
