Ann Johnson

Annette Elizabeth Johnson was born on August 13, 1974, and is an American attorney and politician from Houston, Texas. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has represented the 134th District in the Texas House of Representatives since 2021, succeeding Republican incumbent Sarah Davis.

Johnson is a former Chief Human Trafficking Prosecutor, teacher, and small business owner. She has built a career focused on criminal justice, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations. She is also an adjunct professor of law at South Texas College of Law Houston, where she has taught since 2001. Her courses include voir dire and jury communication, trial litigation, and criminal defense.

Education and Professional Background

Johnson earned her law degree and has worked extensively in criminal justice. She is a founding partner in private practice with Johnson Martinez LLC, working on behalf of human trafficking victims and indigent defendants. In 2021, she returned to her family firm, Johnson Law Firm PC, which was established by her father, Jake Johnson, in 1980.

One of her most significant early cases was In re B.W., 313 SW3rd 818 , in which the Texas Supreme Court reversed the Harris County District Attorney's prosecution of a 13-year-old child for prostitution. This case created a framework for protecting child victims of exploitation and human trafficking.

Political Experience

Johnson served as the Chief Human Trafficking Prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's Office from 2013 to 2017, establishing the Human Trafficking Section and successfully prosecuting major traffickers. She was a founding member of the Harris County GIRLS Court and established S.A.F.E. Court with a Department of Justice grant to support individuals ages 17 to 25 arrested for prostitution.

In the Texas House, Johnson has focused on criminal justice and public health issues. During the 2022–2023 session, she served as vice-chair of the House Committee on General Investigating, which oversaw high-profile investigations. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee and sits on the Calendars and Public Health committees.

Johnson has passed significant legislation including measures to protect doctors from prosecution for performing emergency abortions on patients with severe pregnancy complications, establish six new criminal courts in Harris County, toughen penalties on mass shooters, crack down on illegal street racing, increase mental health protections for youth in the criminal justice system, and protect homeowners' property values.