If you practice criminal defense in Dallas County, or you represent a client facing charges here, this guide provides a complete overview of every criminal court in the Frank Crowley Courts Building: the judges who preside, their floor locations, and direct phone numbers for each court. It also covers the county jail, the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies, the ALR process, and online resources for case research.
Frank Crowley Courts Building
| Address: 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
Main Phone: (214) 653-5740 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (individual courts may vary) |
All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Dallas County are heard at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, located on Riverfront. The building is adjacent to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center.
Named for Frank Crowley, a Dallas County Commissioner who served from 1949 to 1974 and played a central role in modernizing the county’s criminal justice infrastructure, the building houses all 11 County Criminal Courts (misdemeanor), 2 Courts of Criminal Appeals, and 17 Criminal District Courts (felony).
Misdemeanor courts are located on the 3rd and 4th floors. Felony courts are on the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors. The District Clerk’s Office and County Clerk’s Office are also located in the building.
Courthouse Security
All persons entering the Frank Crowley Courts Building pass through security screening. The following items are NOT permitted in the courthouse:
- Weapons and ammunition of any kind (firearms, knives, brass knuckles, stun guns, etc.)
- Sharp objects and tools (scissors, box cutters, multi-tools, screwdrivers, etc.)
- Flammables or chemical irritants (lighters, aerosols, pepper spray, vapes, etc.)
- Glass or metal containers, including water bottles and coffee cups
- Cameras, recording devices, and smart glasses
- Any item that could compromise courthouse security or proceedings
Attorneys should plan to arrive early, particularly on busy docket days. Security lines can be lengthy during morning arraignment and plea hours.
County Criminal Courts (Misdemeanor)
Dallas County has 11 County Criminal Courts that hear all Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases. These include first-offense DWI, DWI with BAC 0.15 or higher, marijuana possession under two ounces, misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass, evading arrest, and other misdemeanor offenses. The County Criminal Courts also hear appeals from Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts. Two additional Courts of Criminal Appeals hear appellate matters.
When a defendant is arrested for a misdemeanor offense in Dallas County, the case is assigned to one of these courts. Misdemeanor courts are located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Frank Crowley Courts Building.
| Court | Floor | Judge | Phone |
| County Criminal Court No. 1 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Marilynn Mayse | (214) 653-5605 |
| County Criminal Court No. 2 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Julia Hayes | (214) 653-5615 |
| County Criminal Court No. 3 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Audrey Moorehead | (214) 653-5625 |
| County Criminal Court No. 4 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Dominique Torres Williams | (214) 653-5636 |
| County Criminal Court No. 5 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Lisa Green | (214) 653-5645 |
| County Criminal Court No. 6 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Angela King | (214) 653-5655 |
| County Criminal Court No. 7 | 4th Floor | Hon. Remeko Tranisha Edwards | (214) 653-5665 |
| County Criminal Court No. 8 | 4th Floor | Hon. Carmen P. White | (214) 653-5675 |
| County Criminal Court No. 9 | 4th Floor | Hon. Peggy Hoffman | (214) 653-5685 |
| County Criminal Court No. 10 | 4th Floor | Hon. Monique J. Huff | (214) 653-5695 |
| County Criminal Court No. 11 | 4th Floor | Hon. Shequitta Kelly | (214) 712-5077 |
| Courts of Criminal Appeals | |||
| Ct. of Criminal Appeals No. 1 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Kristin Wade | (214) 653-5705 |
| Ct. of Criminal Appeals No. 2 | 3rd Floor | Hon. Pam Luther | (214) 653-5715 |
Note: Judge names and assignments are subject to change. Several of these positions appear on the 2026 ballot. Verify current assignments at dallascounty.org before appearances.
What to Expect in Misdemeanor Court
Misdemeanor cases in Dallas County move through a structured process. After arrest and magistration (where bond and bond conditions are set), your client will receive initial court settings. The State will provide discovery, and negotiations with the assigned prosecutor begin from there.
Dallas County misdemeanor courts carry heavy dockets. Prosecutors are organized by court, and individual prosecutor assignments can shift. Building relationships with prosecutors and court staff, and understanding each judge’s individual courtroom preferences, is essential to effective representation.
For DWI cases specifically, Dallas County courts vary in their approach to plea offers and bond conditions. Some courts routinely require ignition interlock devices as a bond condition for BAC results at or above 0.15; others apply interlock selectively. Know your court.
The Dallas Criminal Defense Bar Annual Judicial Poll provides practitioner ratings of Dallas County criminal court judges.
Criminal District Courts (Felony)
Dallas County has 17 district courts with criminal jurisdiction. These courts hear all felony criminal cases, including state jail felonies, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, and capital felonies. Cases range from felony drug possession and felony DWI to aggravated assault, sexual assault, murder, and capital murder.
Felony cases are presented to a grand jury before proceeding to district court. If the grand jury returns a True Bill of Indictment, the case is assigned to a Criminal District Court. A No-Bill results in dismissal at that stage. Felony courts are located on the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors of the Frank Crowley Courts Building.
| Court | Floor | Judge | Phone |
| Criminal District Court No. 1 | 6th Floor | Judge Jennifer Balido | (214) 653-5902 |
| Criminal District Court No. 2 | 7th Floor | Judge Elizabeth Frizzell | (214) 653-5910 |
| Criminal District Court No. 3 | 6th Floor | Judge Audra Riley | (214) 653-5922 |
| Criminal District Court No. 4 | 6th Floor | Judge Dominique Collins | (214) 653-5932 |
| Criminal District Court No. 5 | 5th Floor | Judge Carter Thompson | (214) 653-5942 |
| Criminal District Court No. 6 | 6th Floor | Judge Nancy Mulder | (972) 739-3910 |
| Criminal District Court No. 7 | 7th Floor | Judge Chika Anyiam | (972) 739-3906 |
| 194th District Court | 7th Floor | Judge Ernest White | (214) 653-5802 |
| 195th District Court | 7th Floor | Judge Hector Garza | (214) 653-5812 |
| 203rd District Court | 7th Floor | Judge Raquel Jones | (214) 653-5822 |
| 204th District Court | 7th Floor | Judge Tammy Kemp | (214) 653-5832 |
| 265th District Court | 7th Floor | Judge Jennifer Bennett | (214) 653-5842 |
| 282nd District Court | 5th Floor | VACANT | (214) 653-5852 |
| 283rd District Court | 6th Floor | Judge Lela Mays | (214) 653-5862 |
| 291st District Court | 7th Floor | Judge Stephanie Huff | (214) 653-5872 |
| 292nd District Court | 6th Floor | Judge Brandon Birmingham | (214) 653-5882 |
| 363rd District Court | 5th Floor | Judge Tracy Holmes | (214) 653-5892 |
Note: Judge names and assignments are subject to change. Several positions, including Criminal District Courts 1, 5, 6, and 7, appear on the 2026 primary ballot. Verify current assignments at dallascounty.org.
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What to Expect in Felony Court
Felony cases in Dallas County move through a defined sequence: arrest and magistration, grand jury presentation, indictment, court appearances, possibly pretrial hearings and motions, plea negotiations or trial setting, and sentencing. The timeline varies significantly by case complexity and court. A straightforward state jail felony may resolve in a few months; a capital murder case may take a year or more.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office maintains specialized prosecution units including divisions focused on crimes against children, vehicular crimes and organized crime. Prosecutors in these units tend to be experienced and case-focused. Understanding which division is handling a case and who the assigned prosecutor is will shape every aspect of case strategy.
Dallas County Criminal District Courts vary in culture and practice. Some courts have established reputations for trial efficiency, others for receptiveness to mitigation at sentencing. Knowing your courtroom before trial day is not optional; it is foundational.
Dallas County Jail — Lew Sterrett Justice Center
| Address: 111 W. Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202
General Info Line: (214) 761-9025 (available 24/7) Inmate Search: www.dallascounty.org (Jail Lookup Search) |
The Lew Sterrett Justice Center is the primary detention facility for Dallas County. Operated by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, it houses individuals arrested by Dallas County law enforcement agencies (the Dallas Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, and suburban city departments) pending bond or court proceedings. With a capacity exceeding 7,000 inmates, it is one of the largest county detention facilities in Texas.
After arrest in Dallas County, defendants are booked at Lew Sterrett following any initial municipal hold. Some cities, including Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Carrollton, Richardson, and DeSoto, maintain their own jails where arrestees may be held for 24 to 72 hours before transfer to Lew Sterrett if bond is not posted.
Magistration and Bond
After booking, defendants are magistrate, typically by a Dallas County magistrate within 24 to 48 hours of arrest, at which point bond and bond conditions are set. Bond may be posted through a cash bond (paying the full amount to the county) or a surety bond through a licensed bail bondsman, typically at 10 percent of the bond amount.
Dallas County District Attorney’s Office
| Address: 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 653-3600 |
The Dallas County District Attorney prosecutes all felony cases and misdemeanor cases in Dallas County. The office is organized into specialized prosecution divisions, including units focused on crimes against children, vehicular crimes, family violence, public corruption, and complex felonies. Understanding which division is handling a client’s case, and the policies and priorities of that division, is critical to effective defense strategy.
The DA’s Office operates the Dallas County Defense Portal, through which licensed defense attorneys can access discovery on criminal cases. Access requires a portal account and acceptance of terms of use. The portal is available at www.defense.dallascounty.org .
Dallas County Sheriff’s Office
| Address: 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 653-3450 |
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated Dallas County, operates the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, provides courthouse security at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, serves civil process, and executes warrants county-wide. Deputies also conduct criminal investigations in unincorporated areas of the county.
Case Results
Key Law Enforcement Agencies in Dallas County
Criminal cases in Dallas County may be investigated by any of the following agencies, depending on where the offense occurred. The investigating agency determines what policies, practices, and personnel will factor into the defense of the case.
- Dallas Police Department — (214) 744-4444
- Dallas County Sheriff’s Office — (214) 653-3450
- Garland Police Department — (972) 485-4840
- Irving Police Department — (972) 721-2600
- Mesquite Police Department — (972) 285-6336
- Grand Prairie Police Department — (972) 237-8790
- Carrollton Police Department — (972) 466-3197
- Richardson Police Department — (972) 744-4800
- DeSoto Police Department — (972) 223-6111
- Duncanville Police Department — (972) 780-5013
- Cedar Hill Police Department — (972) 291-5181
- Lancaster Police Department — (972) 218-2711
- Rowlett Police Department — (972) 412-6200
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — conducts traffic enforcement and DWI patrols on state highways throughout the county
Online Court Resources
- Dallas County Case Search (County and District): dallascounty.org/services/record-search — search active and historical felony and misdemeanor cases by name or case number
- Dallas County Jail Lookup: dallascounty.org (Jail Lookup Search) — search current and recently released inmates by name
- Dallas County Defense Portal (discovery): defense.dallascounty.org — licensed defense attorneys can access discovery on adult and juvenile cases
- District Clerk’s Office (felony records): dallascounty.org/government/courts/criminal_district — felony case records and filings
- County Clerk’s Office (misdemeanor records): dallascounty.org/government/county-clerk/criminal-courts — misdemeanor case records and filings
- Frank Crowley Courts Building Directory: dallascounty.org — individual court contact information and staff directories
- Texas Department of Public Safety ALR hearings: dps.texas.gov
Cities and Communities Served by Dallas County Criminal Courts
The following cities and communities fall within Dallas County’s criminal jurisdiction. Cases arising from arrests in any of these locations are heard at the Frank Crowley Courts Building:
Addison, Balch Springs, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Combine, Copeville (Dallas County portion), Coppell (Dallas County portion), Dallas, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Ferris (Dallas County portion), Garland, Glenn Heights (Dallas County portion), Grand Prairie (Dallas County portion), Hutchins, Irving, Lancaster, Mesquite, Ovilla (Dallas County portion), Richardson (Dallas County portion), Rowlett (Dallas County portion), Sachse (Dallas County portion), Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park, Highland Park, and the unincorporated communities of Dallas County.
Note: Several cities straddle county lines. The portion of the city where the arrest occurred determines which county’s courts have jurisdiction. Grand Prairie, Rowlett, Sachse, and Garland each have portions in both Dallas County and adjacent counties.
Note: Court assignments, judge names, and contact information are subject to change. This guide reflects information verified as of early 2026. Several Dallas County criminal court judgeships appear on the 2026 election ballot; judge assignments may change following primary and general elections. Verify current information at dallascounty.org before appearances.
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