77 employees resign from Dallas County DA’s office as Democrat Amber Givens prepares to take over as top prosecutor

Amber Givens is set to take the helm of one of Texas’ largest prosecutorial offices at a time when the agency is dealing with heavy employee turnover and dozens of open positions. Givens, a former felony district judge, was elected Dallas County district attorney after defeating write-in challenger Eric Reed in the Nov. 3 election.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s election results, she received 592,506 votes, while Reed received 15,440 write-in votes. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office has seen a sharp wave of departures, according to the Texas Observer. Since March, 77 employees have left the office, with four more resignations still pending.

The office also has 49 vacancies, more than double the number reported in October 2024. Those losses came after another period of major turnover: in 2024, 60 employees, including 25 prosecutors, exited the office, and 81 more left during 2025. Sources within the department told the Texas Observer that the staffing shortage has forced attorneys to handle complex cases in the middle of litigation.

The leadership change also brings a staffing and talent-management challenge. Givens spent 11 years as presiding judge of Dallas County’s 282nd District Court, but she has not previously prosecuted a felony case in Dallas County. Reed questioned the difference between judicial and prosecutorial experience, telling the Texas Observer, “You don’t hire the umpire to play the game.” Givens is also entering the role after her judicial record came under scrutiny.

The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct had previously issued public sanctions against her, but a July 2026 review panel later found that the evidence did not support the alleged violations and dismissed those sanctions, according to the State Bar of Texas. Her election signals a leadership shift, but rebuilding staff confidence and filling vacancies will be among the key priorities as she prepares to take over the office. RELATED CONTENT: Dr.

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