Judge Shequitta Kelly was born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana. In 1999, she graduated from Indiana University as a first-generation college student with a dual bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology. Later, in 2003, she continued her studies to earn her law degree.

Judge Kelly subsequently joined the Indiana Allen County Prosecutors office, where she prosecuted domestic violence cases. She served as the Felony Domestic Violence Intake Prosecutor for over six years. Her experience led her to Dallas, Texas, where she received her Texas law license and joined the Dallas County District Attorney’s office. While at the Dallas D.A.’s Office, she prosecuted severe child abuse cases.

In January 2015, she was sworn in as the presiding judge of Dallas County Criminal Court #11, one of two family violence specialty courts.

Throughout her career, Judge Kelly has attended various courses on domestic violence, spoken at national conferences, and been an active member in several professional organizations, including Whittington Home Shelter, Literacy Alliance, NAACP, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated-MDA chapter. In addition to these organizations, Judge Kelly is a member of the JL Turner Legal Association, Urban League, Dallas Bar Association, North Dallas Texas Democratic Women, Irving Democratic Women, and the National Action Network. She has mentored numerous disadvantaged teens and served as a national motivational speaker.