Dallas County commissioners say Senate Bill 11 will overcrowd jails, strain resources
The Texas Senate gave initial approval to a bill that would create a state-level crime for entering the country illegally. The measure would make it a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a year in the county jail. That would mean Texas counties — ostensibly Dallas County as well — would have to cover all costs for anyone arrested under the new law. All the legal costs and medical care costs with no state dollars to support it.
Dispute ongoing over access to Dallas County juvenile records
Monday’s hearing was supposed to decide whether the commissioner could get 90,000 records of juveniles in the juvenile detention center. Judge Eric Moye did not rule on that Monday because of another investigation taking place.
Legal battle ensues between Dallas County commissioner, juvenile dept. director over legal records
The standoff began after a report that found the Dallas County Juvenile Department lags behind national standards, including keeping kids locked up longer than other juvenile detention centers. Now, a court will decide whether the commissioner gets the documents he wants.
Former Dallas County Commissioner J.J. Koch appointed as Dallas County District Court judge
As a commissioner, Koch said he wanted to withhold the county portion of district judges’ salaries until their case backlog was whittled down. Now, he's there and says he expects to be held to the same level of accountability.
Dallas County commissioners change pretrial release program to help release more inmates
Dallas County commissioners say it's an effort to reduce jail overcrowding under the current policy. A low-risk inmate would need to have two references to be eligible for pre-trial release. Under the approved change, that will be lowered to one reference.
Commissioners concerned as Dallas County jail nears full capacity
Capacity for men and women is at more than 8,100. Currently, the jail is nearly 90% full. One commissioner is casting most of the blame on the judges handling felony charges. County documents show about 1,000 felony cases have not been filed.
Dallas County leaders call for gun control, Tarrant County could follow
Dallas County Commissioners passed a resolution asking Gov. Greg Abbott to bring state lawmakers back to Austin to work on gun control legislation. Tarrant County leaders could do the same next week.
Dallas County judges push back at commissioners' accusations of not doing their jobs
Commissioners John Wiley Price and J.J. Koch say there is a huge backlog and that the county could lose $50 million in criminal justice grants from the state because some judges have not been doing their jobs. The county judges finally responded. "It's time to set the record straight."
Court cases backlog: Dallas County commissioners at odds with judges over disposition rate
Dallas County commissioners are taking criminal judges to court over what they say is a lack of work since the pandemic shut courts for a time two years ago.
Backlog of criminal cases could cost Dallas County millions of dollars
By state law, 90% of criminal cases in a five-year period must be cleared or the county can face losing as much as $50 million in criminal justice grants from the state. The county's current disposition rate stands at 87%.
Dallas County closes some polling locations due to shortage of poll workers
County commissioners voted Wednesday to reduce the number of vote centers due to a shortage of poll workers. The voting centers the county is choosing to close are ones with low turnout or locations where another site is within a half-mile.
Dallas County requiring COVID-19 tests for its unvaccinated workers, offers bonus leave to the vaccinated
Weekly PCR tests are now required for Dallas County employees who are unvaccinated. Fully vaccinated workers can opt out of the weekly tests and get six extra days of paid leave if they test positive for COVID-19.
Dallas County commissioner sues over courtroom mask mandate, calls for Judge Jenkins’ removal
Dallas County Commissioner JJ Koch, the only Republican county commissioner, was kicked out of Tuesday’s meeting for refusing to wear a mask.
Dallas Co. Commissioner JJ Koch escorted from meeting after refusing to wear mask
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins ordered the bailiff to clear the court of anyone not wearing a mask. Commissioner JJ Koch was the only one.
July 6 declared Luka Doncic Day in Dallas County
“Whereas, much like fellow European Dirk Nowitzki landed in our great city 20 years prior, Dončić has quickly become an adored and adopted North Texan."
Texas economist warns of consequences if strict voting access legislation becomes law
Texas lawmakers are considering new legislation which would tighten access to voting across the state. Voting rights activists and several large corporations and businesses have condemned the proposals.
31 minors incorrectly received COVID-19 vaccine at Dallas County clinic
The company that handles the shots says 31 people under the age of 18 received doses that are only approved for adults. City and county leaders are working to make sure it does not happen again.
John Wiley Price gets COVID-19 vaccine, hopes to encourage others
The commissioner says he got the shot in hopes that it will also give a shot of confidence for communities of color where studies say nationally over half don't trust government medical care.
Dallas County expanding COVID-19 vaccine registration plan
Dallas County is trying to reach underserved populations and make it easier for everyone to register for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dallas County approves $5 million in contracts for vaccine efforts
About $4 million will go toward a call center run by a private company. The rest will go toward education campaigns and a paperless registration system.