"I've dedicated my career to the principles of justice and the rule of law. From prosecuting cases as an Assistant DA and Assistant U.S. Attorney, to serving as your Judge for Criminal District Court No. 3, I've been resolute in my commitment to upholding our beloved Constitution."
-Douglas Allen
Meet Douglas
Judge Douglas Allen was born in Phoenix, Arizona. One of four kids, his upbringing was centered on faith, family, and community.
He pursued his undergraduate education at Baylor University, earning a BS in Education with a focus on History and Political Science in 1992. He later continued his education at Baylor, earning a Master of Science in Education in 1994, before going on to obtain his Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University in 1998.
Judge Allen’s professional journey began while working his way through Baylor by waiting tables. Following law school, he clerked for a federal judge from 1998 to 2000. Subsequently, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County from 2000 to 2002 and as an Assistant United States Attorney from 2002 to 2023. His commitment to truth, justice, and our beloved nation led him to volunteer as a civilian Department of Justice attorney in Iraq for three tours spanning over three years, where he supported the Iraqi justice system and worked closely with our armed forces after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
In January 2023, Judge Allen was appointed to his current role as Judge of Criminal District Court No. 3 by Governor Greg Abbott.
Since day one, his vision for Criminal District Court 3 has centered on establishing a fair, efficient, and professional judicial environment where justice is the cornerstone for all participants and the community at large. He is committed to ensuring that every individual interacting with his court—whether as victims, jurors, lawyers, or defendants—experiences respect and fairness.
During his tenure, he successfully tackled the significant backlog of cases that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving a 50% reduction within 17 months. This effort transformed CDC3 from the third-largest docket among 11 criminal district courts to the third-smallest.
Judge Allen has been married to his wife Cynthia for twelve years, and they are the proud parents of three wonderful children. Allen’s commitment to this community is evident through his leadership roles as Chair of the board of directors of the Chesterton Academy of Fort Worth, board memberships in the Society of St. Thomas More and St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church, and volunteering as a youth soccer coach. He is also a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and the Federalist Society.
With 24 years of legal experience, predominantly as a trial lawyer in various capacities including federal prosecutor and DOJ attorney, he brings a unique perspective to the bench. His career has instilled in him a deep appreciation for our judicial system and the critical need for judges who are seasoned, ethical, and humble.