Candidates for Tarrant County criminal district attorney on November 8 ballot
Tiffany Burks
Political party (if applicable): Democrat
Age as of November 8, 2022: 51
Campaign website: www.tiffanyburksforda.com
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Law Degree from Texas Southern University
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
20+ years of public service as an assistant district attorney and various organizations and initiatives including the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association, Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative designed to lower violent crime amongst our youth, Board of Regent for 11 years at Midwestern State University, serving on the board of the Fort Worth Police Foundation, and creating the Police Liaison program at the Tarrant County DA’s Office to strengthen communication with law enforcement.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Michelle Dacus, Kevin Rousseau and Benson Varghese
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent?
The most important distinction between myself and my opponent is my depth of experience doing the work for which I am seeking election and my record of leadership. On January 2, 2023, Tarrant County will have a new District Attorney, and that person should have the experience and ability to go into any court and try any case or go into any circumstance able to handle any matter that they expect those working for them to handle. I can do that because I have done it for almost 25 years, as a Court chief for 7 years and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for 6 years. I have mentored lawyers, provided continuing legal education training for attorneys, and assisted with policymaking and administrative duties within the office as Deputy Chief. Tarrant County must require that their next District Attorney have a strong work ethic, has the people skills to collaborate with others and the experience leading prosecutors and a large office to do what is right for Tarrant County all the time.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
I have visited with citizens across Tarrant and their biggest concerns are violent crime, juvenile justice, and a District Attorney’s Office that puts the needs of the citizens over political agendas. During my 20+ years’ career, I handled crimes of violence within our county and, unfortunately, there is a nexus between violent crime, our youth and drugs. To combat these issues, I will revive the Narcotics Unit and increase staffing in our gang/homicide unit. I will focus on our juvenile division and work within the community to provide resources to our youth to divert them from criminal conduct. Lastly, I earned a reputation for being a person of integrity who is fair, measured in my dealings with others and in finding solutions to issues. I will create a District Attorney’s office that restores the public service commitment to the DA’s office and rebuild the public’s trust. My office will be an office that always chooses the needs of the people over politics.
What is your position on bail reform?
Bail is meant to ensure that a person accused of a crime returns to court to answer the charges made against them. It is not meant to be oppressive or used to punish individuals before the disposition of their case. With that in mind, I believe that bail is an effective tool, specifically in cases of violence or where there is a victim of crime, to ensure a person’s presence in court and for the protection of the community. The law also allows for personal recognizance bonds or cashless bonds, and I believe it is proper to allow cashless bail in appropriate, non-violent, low-level crimes.
What is your position on prosecuting marijuana cases in Tarrant County? Do you believe marijuana should be legalized?
Possession of marijuana arrests account for one of the largest numbers of all misdemeanor cases filed in the county. With the changes in the law related to the amount of THC that must be present before prosecution may occur and the costs and time related to drug testing, I believe marijuana should be legalized. Until that happens, my office will accept marijuana cases and review them, understanding that every case is different and unique. When appropriate, my office will utilize diversion programs and other alternatives to see that justice is served in these matters.
Phil Sorrells
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Age as of November 8, 2022: 58
Campaign website: Www.PhilSorrells.com
Occupation: Retired Judge
Education: Doctor of Jurisprudence. May 1991 from Texas Tech University School of Law; B.S. Political Science, December 1987 from Texas Tech University
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought):
I first ran for judge in 1996 and I won that contested race. I was re-elected in unopposed elections in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
Member, Texas Bar Association; Member, Tarrant County Bar Association; Member, Texas Bar Foundation; Member, North Richland Hills Baptist Church; Leader of men’s Bible study, North Richland Hills Baptist Church; Member, Colleyville Lions Club; Previous President Birdville Basketball Booster Club; Previous Vice President Mid-Cities Basketball Association; Coach of many youth sports teams from 2002-2016.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Bobby Patton; Randy Stevens; Kent Hance
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent?
The police want to partner with me. In addition to being endorsed by Sheriff Bill Waybourn, I am endorsed by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association, The Arlington Municipal Patrolman’s Association, The Tarrant County Law Enforcement Association, and the Dallas Police Association. My opponent has no law enforcement endorsements.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
Violent crime is on the rise in Tarrant County. The citizens of Tarrant County deserve a District Attorney who will make keeping the community safe the top priority. I am that candidate. Due to a failed bail system thousands of criminals are out on our streets free to commit more crime and prey on our citizens.I will oppose low bail amounts and seek to keep the violent offenders off our streets. The police need a District Attorney that has their back. I support the police and will never seek to defund the police or align myself with a party that seeks to do so.
What is your position on bail reform?
The safety of the community is my top priority. I will oppose low bail amounts and seek to keep the violent offenders off our streets.
What is your position on prosecuting marijuana cases in Tarrant County? Do you believe marijuana should be legalized?
The job of district attorney is to enforce the law. The legislature determines the legality of marijuana. I will leave that decision to the legislature. Currently, possession of marijuana is illegal, so I will prosecute those cases.
