May 7, 2020

For Immediate Release:

Statement from Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot
re: Civil Case against Dallas Salon Owner

As your Dallas County Criminal District Attorney, I feel it is important to correct false
information about the DA Office’s role in the case of Dallas Salon Owner Shelley Luther.
Ms. Luther was recently ordered to spend seven days in jail and was fined $7,000 dollars
for defying city of Dallas orders to remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic, as
ordered by the mayor of Dallas, the County Judge, and the Governor’s executive order.

Ms. Luther’s is a CIVIL matter, not a CRIMINAL matter. A civil lawsuit seeking a restraining
order against Ms. Luther was filed in state district court by the City of Dallas. Dallas County
was not a party to that civil lawsuit and my office did not appear or represent any party. Ms.
Luther was not prosecuted by my office, or any office of which I am aware, for any criminal
charge arising from the operation of her salon.

After the civil district trial court granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting Ms. Luther
from continuing to operate her business, it is my understanding that she continued to
operate her business. Subsequently, the City of Dallas sought to hold Ms. Luther in
contempt of court for violating the civil district court’s order. The court found Ms. Luther in
contempt of court and assessed a penalty of seven days in jail as punishment for violating
the civil court’s restraining order. The penalty was issued by the civil court and in no way
was related to any criminal prosecution by my office. Dallas County was not a party to the
contempt hearing and my office did not appear or represent any party at that hearing.
Furthermore, it is disingenuous to make a connection between Ms. Luther’s civil case and
any District Attorney prosecuting policy.

Any further inquiries should be directed to the City of Dallas.

John Creuzot
Dallas County Criminal
District Attorney

Frank Crowley Courts Building • 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., L.B. 19 • Dallas, Texas 75207-4399 • 214/653-3600