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Diane Becton Named First African American & First Woman Named Contra Costa County District Attorney

Published

7 years ago

September 15, 2017

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has appointed Judge Diana Becton as interim district attorney. Judge Becton, after serving on the Contra Costa County Superior Court for 22 years, replaces outgoing DA Mark Petersen who resigned in June.

“I am honored to have been chosen by the Board of Supervisors to serve the people of Contra Costa County as District Attorney,” Becton said. “With over two decades of experience in the administration of justice and the practice of criminal law, I am excited by this new opportunity to reform our justice system and restore integrity to the DA’s office. I look forward to serving alongside law enforcement and county prosecutors to promote public safety, equality, fairness, and confidence in our courts and legal system.”

A Bay Area native, Judge Becton attended Oakland public schools and received her B.A. in economics from San Francisco State University and her J.D. from Golden Gate University Law School. She was appointed to the bench in 1995 and has presided over a diverse collection of misdemeanor, felony, civil, mental health and juvenile cases.

In 2011, Judge Becton was elected Presiding Judge of the Contra Costa Superior Court. In this capacity, Judge Becton was responsible for leading the court and managing its staff and resources, including an annual budget of approximately $56 million. In 2012, Judge Becton received the Rose Bird Memorial Award for judicial excellence from California Women Lawyers. She subsequently served as President of the National Association of Women Judges. Upon her appointment, Judge Becton became the first African American and first female Contra Costa County District Attorney.

“This job is a tremendous responsibility,” Becton said, “and I am committed to restoring public trust in the DA’s office. The people of Contra Costa County need to be confident in their judicial system, and I will work tirelessly with law enforcement, deputy district attorneys, and public defenders to rebuild that trust.

As District Attorney, I want to bring people together to improve our office’s accountability and encourage community engagement throughout Contra Costa County.”

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”