Audra is from Mesquite, Texas. She attended Liberty-Eylau High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University. She has a juris doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Audra Riley, candidate for Texas Criminal District Judge Dallas County

HER | All Rise: Audra L. Riley | Texarkana Gazette

Audra is from Mesquite. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University and a law degree from Texas Southern University.

Audra is a judge of the Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 3 in Texas. She works at the Dallas County Criminal District Court, where she has been since January 1, 2021. She previously worked in her own criminal defense practice for four years, at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor for nearly ten years, at the Texas Department of Corrections as a prison guard, and at Kaplan College teaching criminal justice classes.

Audra previously worked as a criminal defense attorney at her own law firm, a prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, and as a prison guard with the Texas Department of Corrections.

Audra Riley - Ballotpedia

Audra currently serves as a Dallas County Criminal District Court judge. She was first elected in 2020, and is serving her second term.

Has experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and prison guard.

- Has experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and prison guard.

Legal Experience

Supports having an afternoon docket at least twice a week to allow for quicker case disposal and sooner trial setting for certain cases.

- Supports having an afternoon docket at least twice a week to allow for quicker case disposal and sooner trial setting for certain cases.

Judicial Administration

Supports granting personal recognizance bonds for non-violent offenders if justified by the facts, circumstances, and criminal history.

Supports granting non-monetary, personal recognizance bonds for non-violent offenders if justified by the facts, circumstances, and criminal history.

- Supports granting non-monetary, personal recognizance bonds for non-violent offenders if justified by the facts, circumstances, and criminal history.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Audra Riley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Provided community service to three different retirement homes for the holidays.

- Provided community service to three different retirement homes for the holidays.

Community Involvement

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Audra Riley

Said, "I don't have a problem with judges accepting campaign contributions from lawyers who appear or may appear before them in court, as long as there is no expectation of favoritism of that contributor in any way."

Volunteered for Beto O'Rourke's 2018 Senate campaign.

- Voters of the entire state elect judges to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits, but judges must retire at 75 years or older.
- The court has the power to overturn a criminal conviction and is the final authority on criminal matters in the state of Texas.
- The Criminal Court of Appeals can choose whether or not to review most criminal cases. However, the court is required to review cases involving the death penalty or bail denials.
- Court of Criminal Appeals judges earn a salary of $210,000 to $264,600, depending on how long they have served.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 