When you take a moment to read Tiffany’s Bio on her website, it will not take long to realize where Tiffany gets her sense of service. Her father is a World War II Veteran, her mother’s commitment to serving others led her to get a nursing degree. The old saying, “The apple does not fall far from the tree” comes to mind. Tiffany’s parents instilled the value of education in her and her five siblings growing up in Oak Cliff. With her parental pedigree, Tiffany could have chosen any career. But in the end, she decided to take on the legal field.

A Govea

Tiffany’s education took her to Austin UTA to earn a degree in sociology and government. Next, she went to TSU Law School to earn her Juris Doctor degree. This would start her journey as a prosecuting attorney in the District Attorneys’ office starting in Fort Bend County, Texas. Then she returned to North Texas in 1999 to work at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. While meeting with Tiffany and listening to her describe her experience at that office – I heard the voice of someone who is committed to her profession. 

  I must admit that I am impressed with not only Tiffany’s experience (24 years) but how that experience has translated into her actions in the courtroom and the community. She assured me she has always believed in recruiting the community for help and input. And that will not change if she is elected the next District Attorney for Tarrant County. 

  I asked about her views on cash bonds which for the poor can be a devastating dilemma. Of course, nobody wants it to be easy for a violent offender or a potential flight risk to make a bond. But for the working poor, cash – bonds can be a life-altering occurrence. If the bond is $5,000 and 10% is $500.00 – it could be impossible to afford. Imagine making $10.00 an hour, which gives you under $400.00 a week after taxes, and then having to come up with an extra $500.00 unexpectedly. Most working people could not do it. Lack of funds leaves them with few options. One of those options is to sit it out in jail. Sitting in a jail cell is not good, but things can quickly go from bad to worse from there. They could lose their job and maybe their car. Worse, they can become homeless if they get evicted. Tiffany responded to the cash-bond issue by recognizing that coming up with even $100.00 can be a challenge for some. She assured me that the Judge and Prosecutor’s office should be mindful of two components when determining bail – the accused’s resources and the objectives of bail, which are to ensure appearance at court and, when appropriate, to protect the community. Tiffany believes personal recognizance bonds, commonly referred to as PR bonds, should be used as much as possible and in appropriate cases to minimize someone who hasn’t even been charged or gone to court sitting in jail due to an inability to pay any amount. She further explained that most people fear going to jail, which is usually effective in ensuring appearance for court dates. In addition, she looks not only at the alleged offense but at what may have led to the offense. Was it drug-related, mental health issues, or extreme poverty that were contributing factors? 

  Part of Tiffany’s platform reads, “The Criminal District Attorneys’ office will be an office with public service as the cornerstone, not politics.” Tiffany has the experience and the passion for true justice for the position. And even though I do not believe it is my place to endorse a candidate, I will endorse the professionalism I believe she will bring to the office.