Dallas man executed for 1954 murder declared innocent
Dallas County Commissioners symbolically declared a man innocent in a 1954 murder case. The district attorney said Tommy Lee Walker was coerced into a confession during a time of racial segregation and was convicted by an all-white jury.
Dallas County Commissioners symbolically declared a man innocent in a 1954 murder case. The district attorney said Tommy Lee Walker was coerced into a confession during a time of racial segregation and was convicted by an all-white jury.
Dallas County leader accuses felony court judges of underperforming
A Dallas County Commissioner is questioning how effective county judges have been in handling their cases. He believes it's leading to jail overcrowding.
A Dallas County Commissioner is questioning how effective county judges have been in handling their cases. He believes it's leading to jail overcrowding.
Dallas County juvenile detention employee arrested for assault
A young person being held in a Dallas County juvenile detention facility was allegedly assaulted by an employee. The teen received medical attention. The employee was arrested and fired that same day.
A young person being held in a Dallas County juvenile detention facility was allegedly assaulted by an employee. The teen received medical attention. The employee was arrested and fired that same day.
Dallas County forced to lay off 21 health workers, cancel vaccination events
Federal funding cuts have already forced Dallas County to lay off several health workers, and dozens of community events planned to provide immunizations against diseases have been scrapped.
Federal funding cuts have already forced Dallas County to lay off several health workers, and dozens of community events planned to provide immunizations against diseases have been scrapped.
Dallas County approves new Poll Pads for upcoming elections
Dallas County commissioners have approved new pollbooks called Poll Pads, which will be used in local elections. They'll replace devices that melted down during the November election.
Dallas County commissioners have approved new pollbooks called Poll Pads, which will be used in local elections. They'll replace devices that melted down during the November election.
Dallas County JP judges push for more security at government offices
Dallas County commissioners are moving forward with a plan to make county government offices safer for the people who work there while still providing access to the public.
Dallas County commissioners are moving forward with a plan to make county government offices safer for the people who work there while still providing access to the public.
Dallas County to replace some voting equipment that caused problems
Dallas County Commissioners moved to resolve a problem that led to long lines during the last election. It was an issue with the electronic devices used to check in voters, verify their precincts, and print the proper ballots.
Dallas County Commissioners moved to resolve a problem that led to long lines during the last election. It was an issue with the electronic devices used to check in voters, verify their precincts, and print the proper ballots.
Spike in THC poisoning in children alarms Dallas County officials
A Dallas County Commissioner is trying to warn parents about a growing problem. Texas has seen an increase in THC poisonings among young children over the past few years.
A Dallas County Commissioner is trying to warn parents about a growing problem. Texas has seen an increase in THC poisonings among young children over the past few years.
Dallas County health officials concerned over COVID vaccine supply ahead of expected surge
Dallas County Health officials are concerned the expected fall-winter virus surge could happen before updated vaccines arrive and people are fully protected.
Dallas County Health officials are concerned the expected fall-winter virus surge could happen before updated vaccines arrive and people are fully protected.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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."
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.
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%.
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.
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.