State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, honored Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton as the 2019 Woman of Year for the 9th Senate District. Becton is the first woman and the first African American to serve as Contra Costa County district attorney since the office was established in 1850.
Over her distinguished career as a judge, lawyer, and manager, she has been committed to safeguarding communities from crime and working on positive outcomes for seniors and youth.
“Diana Becton has had an extraordinary legal career, both as a judge and as an attorney, and she richly deserves this honor,” Skinner said. “She is also a forward-thinking district attorney, dedicated to addressing racial and economic disparities in our criminal justice system.”
“This recognition from Sen. Skinner highlights the work we all do as a community to keep Contra Costa County safe,” Becton said. “I will continue to lead my office into the direction of ensuring accountability within our criminal justice system, providing services to those impacted by crime, and collaborating with all of our partners to improve public safety. We must continue to advocate for policies that keep our communities safe, while also working toward a fairer and more equitable and transparent criminal justice system.”
Becton was sworn in on Sept. 17, 2017, as the 25th district attorney for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. She served for 22 years as a judge in Contra Costa County, where she was elected as presiding judge.
Becton is also dedicated to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, reducing recidivism and incarceration rates, creating safe alternatives for low-level nonviolent offenders, and addressing the mental health needs of the community.
Becton is immediate past president of the National Association of Women Judges, the nation’s leading voice for women in the judiciary. She currently serves as the chair of the California State Bar Council on Access and Fairness.
She attended Oakland public schools, and in 2007, she was inducted into the Castlemont High School Hall of Fame, receiving the highest honor, as a “Knight in Shining Armor.” She serves on the board of directors for the Castlemont High School Alumni Association and mentors students.
In 2015, Becton served as co-chair of the “Know Your Rights” youth symposium, as part of a national dialogue to educate youth and to open the lines of communication between youth and law enforcement. She serves on the advisory board of the Law Academy at De Anza High School in Richmond, and she convenes “Get Your House in Order,” a program that assists elders and seniors.
Sen. Nancy Skinner (@NancySkinnerCA) represents the 9th Senate District.
11 comments
She is a munipluative, dishonest creature!!!!! She shouldn’t be in the DA office!!!! Let alone WOMAN OF THE YEAR!!!!!!?!??!?!?!?!
Shes a racist, liberal disgrace! Easy on criminals at the expense of the hard working LEO’s and putting the public at risk.
Are we calling an admitted killer for a gang in Richmond, a low level criminal now? She let someone who robbed, burglarized and shot one man then murdered another woman in the span of a couple days, walk when he turns 25. Someone who has shown no remorse and not turned his back on his gang. Becuase he stayed in juvinile and gets released by the time he’s 25, he’s allowed to legally own a fire arm. His weapon of choice. Yeah. Woman of the he year. Sure… This is a pathetic attempt to over look a clear wrong she had the power to stop and forced through. The age of children commiting the worst types of crimes for gangs is going to return if people like Becton keep pulling this crap.
Senator Skinner authored the law (SB 1437) that is allowing for the release of extremely violent and dangerous convicted criminals. Becton has prohibited the county prosecutors from appealing this law (even though a number of judges have found it to be unconstitutional) – so my guess is that this award is some politico quid pro quo. Becton has a number of high-level Richmond gang members in her family so of course she is going to always come down on the side of the criminals – no concern whatsoever for the victims. The only thing she has accomplished is making a bunch of speeches and making untrue claims about what she is working on. This county deserves better.
Becton said. “I will continue to lead my office into the direction of ensuring accountability within our criminal justice system (1), providing services to those impacted by crime(2), and collaborating with all of our partners to improve public safety(3). We must continue to advocate for policies that keep our communities safe, while also working toward a fairer and more equitable and transparent criminal justice system.” (4)
(1) She will not fight for accountability
http://claycord.com/2019/01/24/murder-victims-mother-seeks-challenge-of-law-allowing-accused-killer-to-be-tried-as-juvenile/
(2) Her job is to prosecute on the behalf of victims, I was told my murdered daughter was “just one case”
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/01/24/prosecutor-drops-out-of-murder-case-after-judge-accepts-teens-plea-deal-under-new-leniency-law/
(3) Is she talking about the all the prosecutors in her office she has demoted?
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/12/01/contra-costa-da-demotes-opponent-in-june-election-as-part-of-office-reorganization/ Or the police that work to get evidence for cases that she tosses aside?
(4) Her idea of transparent:
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/03/21/in-policy-shift-new-contra-costa-da-restricts-employees-from-speaking-to-press/
Her idea of fair is to let criminals go she is the only County DA in the state with active cases not to oppose the new amendments that cut the head off PROP57 – SB1391 & SB1437 State Sen. Jones can tell you how that is going:
https://jones.cssrc.us/content/opinion-democrat-bill-thwarts-prop-57-lets-budding-psychopaths-easy-times-san-diego
Timtim, do you know this boy? How do you know about his gang status and are you sure he will have access to a gun once released?
I do know this case personally and he will be allowed to legally own a gun at the age of 20 per the judges order. The hearings did indicate he continues to claim his gang while currently in detention. The judge did say in her ruling she has seen no visible signs of remorse as reported in this news article: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/02/15/teen-murder-defendant-gets-7-years-for-shooting-discovery-bay-woman/
He shot 2 people in a 48hr time period, kling one. Gun is his weapon of choice. I heard the judge with my own ears, he can legally obtain a gun at 30. There are major issues in our justice system!
I am sorry that should say he will be allowed to own a gun at 30 per the judges order
The main problem is, there are too many stupid people in CA re-electing America hating politicians like Becton.
Look at it this way, once he gets out is the time for him to REALLY pay for his crime. Get my drift? If any of my family members or relatives were murdered by this scumbag, I’d be in front of the facility waiting for him to waltz out. He wouldn’t get far!
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