Daily Inspiration: Meet Deitra Butler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deitra Butler.

Deitra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a divorced single mother of one. I am an attorney by trade. I hold a Bachelor or Arts from Metropolitan State College (now University), and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver. I am also pending a Master of Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada at Reno.

I have resided in Clayton County, Georgia for over thirty years. In that time I have served the citizens of Clayton County in various capacities. I have been a private attorney focusing primarily on criminal defense and family law, an Assistant Solicitor General, an Assistant District Attorney, a Parent Attorney, a Child Attorney, a Guardian Ad Litem, and a Juvenile Court Judge.

Currently, I am a candidate for Clayton County Superior Court Judge. Prior to my candidacy, I served the citizens of Clayton County as a Juvenile Court Judge for approximately 15 years. While in that role, in addition to my judicial duties, and judicial committee assignments including serving on the Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia Executive Board, I completed two fellowships and several leadership courses. I am a Zero to Three Fellow, and a National Black Child Development Institute in partnership with the OpEd Project Fellow where I authored two published articles. I am a graduate of both Leadership Clayton and Grassroots Leadership Clayton. Post completion, I served on the Advisory Boards of Zero to Three, and Grass Roots Leadership Clayton. I also served on the Advisory Board of the Clayton County University of Georgia Extension Office Family and Consumer Science Agency which addresses community health via healthy food availability/security and educating communities about healthy food choices. I am a graduate of the United Way of Atlanta Volunteer Involvement Program, which focuses on increasing involvement in community service programs and organizations. I served as a Board member for the Women of Clayton County, a community service organization focused on improving the quality of life for the Clayton County community as a whole. My commitment to the community and improving the lives of all citizens are paramount in the hierarchy of my life.

I am known as a no-nonsense, fierce advocate for justice and fairness. These bare minimum requirements are non negotiable particularity in spaces and places reserved for those seeking impartial adjudication of contested matters. I believe that in the halls of justice there is no room for partiality, favoritism, or scapegoating. Justice that is anything less than blindly fair is an anomaly, it is injustice, and it cannot continue. I am known for unapologetically doing what is right and fair and just and not what is popular. There are no friends or foes in justice, only facts and laws. Clayton County must return to this standard or we will drown in the ocean of corruption that now exists. Change now is not just desired, it is required for the survival of our county.

I am most proud of my integrity. My refusal to bend or compromise my values. I follow the constitutions of this state, the United States, and common decency. My unwavering commitment to doing what is right and just regardless of the cost set me apart.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In a community steeped in corruption and collusion, I stand in integrity and fairness, justice, and dignity. Those qualities are the cornerstones of my existence. Surprisingly, they have been obstacles in the current climate of Clayton County.

Strange as it may be, my refusal to bend or compromise my core values has been a challenge in an arena where people dismiss truth and honesty as impediments to their ability to achieve ill-gotten gain. My pugnaciousness and confidence have cost me greatly. Despite the personal and disparaging attacks on my character, I am staunch in my determination to walk in truth and integrity.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
A better Clayton County is possible if we institue appropriate corrective measures and preventative programs, and mete out justice fairly. As such, my focus is addressing criminogenic factors with evidence based data and best practice measures. When we meet constituents at the point of their need, better outcomes follow. Adequate needs assessment coupled with evidenced based corrective action will result in decreased criminogenic behaviors and a correlating reduction of crime and recidivism in our communities, (alleviating some of the the stress on jail and prison populations).

I believe these improvements will also increase community stability, community safety, and workforce stability. For too long, we have addressed crime with outdated methodologies that have long been proven ineffective. The system needs an overhaul, we must change the way we address these issues. There must be a reconciliation of current trends in criminogenic factors, criminogenic behaviors and the methodologies used to combat them. This shift in how we address and respond to these factors will have a positive ripple effect on quality of life in the community.

These are the changes I will implement upon election, because doing the same thing, and expecting a different result is insane by definition.

I am passionate about the law, and I am passionate about my community. I have dedicated my career and my effort to improving justice systems in Clayton County. It is my desire to continue the work I started by becoming the next Clayton County Superior Court Judge. My past experience, education, and evidence based research prove that i am not just up for the task, but the ideal
candidate to be your next Clayton County Superior Court Judge.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Remain true to yourself, and your values. Always walk in truth and integrity. Pursue your purpose with unwavering steadfastness. Never give up. The calling on your life is bigger than any obstacle placed in your path. The obstacle is only there to see how bad you want your desired goal. Never allow anyone else to limit or define you, the diminutive minds of small men are too minuscule to articulate the greatness within you. If you stumble and fall, or even if you’re knocked down, don’t stay there, get back up and continue on your path — success is on the other side of adversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ElectDeitraButler.com
• Instagram: ElectDeitraButlerforJudge
• Facebook: Elect Deitra Butler for Judge