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Crimes Against Children
The District Attorney's Office includes a specialized department devoted exclusively to the prosecution of cases involving the sexual and physical abuse of children. The felony prosecutors and investigators assigned to this Division have extensive training and experience in the preparation and trial of these types of cases, including the use of child witnesses. This Office understands the potential emotional and psychological effects on victims and their families resulting from the abuse itself and from the judicial process. Therefore, every effort is made to minimize further trauma while obtaining justice in each case. In order to help child victims feel more comfortable, prosecutors meet with each child and his or her family prior to the presentation of the case to the grand jury, explain the judicial process in age-appropriate terms and answer any questions. Contact between prosecutors and victims continue after the case is assigned to one of the district courts, through any plea negotiations and/or in preparation for trial. This department also works in conjunction with the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center (www.cacplano.org). The CCCAC consists of numerous agencies that work together in the criminal and civil investigation of child abuse. Prosecutors and investigators in the District Attorney's Office collaborate with and provide ongoing training for other members of the multidisciplinary teams specializing in child abuse, including law enforcement officers who investigate the cases, professionals who interview the children, medical personnel, and therapists who treat the victims and their families. Michelle L. Voirin is board certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Voirin received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in 1987 in Journalism and English and her Juris Doctorate from Baylor University School of Law in 1990. A prosecutor since 1993, she has been with the Collin County District Attorney's Office since 1998 and formerly served as a felony prosecutor for the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. She spent three years as an attorney in private practice, primarily in the areas of civil litigation and family law. She is an instructor in the area of child abuse at local, state, and national conferences, including for the National District Attorney’s Association, National Children’s Advocacy Center, Texas District and County Attorney’s Association, Dallas Crimes. Crystal Levonius graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from New Mexico State University. She earned her Juris Doctorate in two years from Southwestern University School of Law in 1999, as part of the University's SCALE program. While a student, she was a member of the Trial Advocacy Honors Program and interned in the Crimes Against Peace Officer's Section of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Upon completion of law school, she passed bar exams in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. After graduating Ms. Levonius worked as a civil attorney. Since joining the office in April of 2004, Ms. Levonius has served in the misdemeanor trial division as a court chief and as a trial prosecutor in the felony division. Shannon Miller received her Bachelor of Arts from Sam Houston State University in 1996. She attended South Texas College of Law where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 2001, while working as an intern at the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Ms. Miller served as an assistant district attorney in Brazoria County, Texas from March, 2002 until she joined the Collin County District Attorney's Office in November 2006. Justin Johnson received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Texas Christian University in 2002. Afterwards, he worked in the banking industry as a commercial real estate valuation analyst. Mr. Johnson earned his J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, graduating with honors in 2006. While in law school, he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Mr. Johnson has been a prosecutor for the Collin County District Attorney's Office since September 2006. Marletta Scribner, started her law enforcement career at the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office in 1977. She graduated as salutatorian of her class at the Texoma Regional Police Academy and then moved to the Warrant Division of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Scribner began her employment with the DA’s Office as a legal secretary, but was soon selected by Judge Curt Henderson to serve as his bailiff in County Court at Law and later the 219th Judicial District Court. In 1998, she returned to the DA’s Office as a criminal investigator and was named deputy chief on January 1, 2003. As a criminal investigator, Ms. Scribner has been assigned to the Family Justice Division, its Crimes Against Children section, and as a felony investigator in each of the district courts in Collin County. Investigator Kenny Newton began his Law Enforcement career in 1987. His duties included patrol and tactical entry. Investigator Newton joined the Collin County District Attorney's Office in December 2004 and serves as a felony investigator. He is married and he is a proud father of three children. Kathy Jeffcoat Schroeder was a Contract Analyst for a Dallas oil and gas company before choosing to make a career change. She earned a certificate in Office Administration and Legal Office Support before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 1995. She began her career at the D.A.’s office as a felony secretary for the prosecutor’s assigned to the 199th Judicial District Court before being transferred to work for the prosecutor’s in the 366th Judicial District Court in 1997. In 2001, she filled the newly created position of Legal Secretary in the Crimes against Children Unit. Mrs. Schroeder now applies her decade of experience in the District Attorney’s Office to support four prosecutors and two investigators in the very fulfilling and rewarding job of seeking justice for the abused children of Collin County. Sandy Schilling came to the District Attorney's Office in October, 1996. She has worked as a secretary in various sections of the District Attorney's Office including: Hot Checks, Victim Assistance, and Misdemeanor. She has worked in the Family Justice Division as a felony secretary, and her current position is in the Crimes against Children section of this division.
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