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Judges seeking audit of probation files after repeated drug, alcohol violations for unreported

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An audit of the county’s probation files will soon be underway after a judge discovered repeated drug and alcohol violations by her probationers weren’t being reported to her.

State District Judge Tracy Holmes has so far discovered 34 probationers in her court had such repeated violations and she was never informed. One man on probation for his third DWI tested positive for alcohol 30 times and she said that she was never told.

Concern that this might not be an isolated problem has led … [visit site to read more]


Former Dallas County Constable admits falsifying campaign finance records in plea deal for deferred adjudication probation

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Former Dallas County Constable Jaime Cortes testified in December 2012. That trial ended with a hung jury that split 11-1 in favor of guilt.

Former Dallas County Precinct 5 Constable Jaime Cortes admitted Monday in court to falsifying his campaign finance records in exchange for a probation that will leave him without a criminal conviction.

State District Judge Jeanine Howard place Cortes on deferred adjudication probation for one year on a misdemeanor charge of tampering with a government record. Deferred adjudication means the judge is delaying judgment until Cortes meets the terms of his probation. If Cortes does not, he could face jail time.

Cortes, who resigned from office, was originally charged with felony tampering with a government records.
… [visit site to read more]

Overheard in the Courthouse: Mercy of the Court

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“Sometimes the court has mercy. Sometimes it doesn’t.”

– State District Judge Jeanine Howard to a man with drug problems as he stood before her bench in felony court. Whether she was merciful to him depends on where you stood. She could have looked him up. She sent him to an in-patient drug treatment program. He wanted to remain … [visit site to read more]

Judge will decide Friday whether to uphold contempt charge against Dallas County DA Craig Watkins or dismiss it

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Craig Watkins was held in contempt of court March 7 after refusing to testify at a hearing looking into allegations of misconduct against him by oil family heir Al Hill III.

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Live updates: Dallas County DA Craig Watkins cleared of contempt

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Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkisn visits with reporters after being acquitted of contempt charges. (Louis DeLuca/Staff photographer)

Update 12:49 p.m.: Defense attorney Tom Nowak, … [visit site to read more]

Preliminary pre-trial motions in prosecutor slayings case against former Kaufman JP must be filed by Nov. 4

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State District Judge Mike Snipes signed an order Wednesday that all preliminary pre-trial motions in the capital murder case against former Kaufman County justice of the peace must be filed by Nov. 4.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams (center), who is accused of killing the Kaufman County district attorney, his wife and a top assistant. (Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer)

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DA office’s objections to judge’s findings in Al Hill III case struck by appellate court; filed with wrong court

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Update Aug, 29: Yesterday, I told you that a filing by the DA’s office in the Hill appeal contained a quote from Mark Twain. But I didn’t blog the quote.

This is the quote attributed to Twain the state’s filing: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

Our friends over at Unfair Park say “that phrase was … [visit site to read more]

With State District Judge Susan Hawk resigning to run for Dallas County DA, what happens to her cases?


Race for bench Susan Hawk leaving to run for Dallas County DA getting crowded

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State District Judge Susan Hawk just announced Wednesday that she is leaving the bench to run for Dallas County District Attorney.

The race to replace her is getting crowded.

Susan Hawk

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Grand jury subpoena issued for judge who held Dallas County DA Craig Watkins in contempt

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State District Judge Lena Levario answers questions from attorney Ron Poole during a July 15 hearing regarding a contempt citation against Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins. (Vernon Bryant/Staff Photographer)

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State District Judge Andy Chatham invites citizens to his courtroom with ‘Court Watch’

Gov. Perry appoints Mary Murphy as presiding judge of First Judicial Administrative Region

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Gov. Rick Perry appointed Mary Murphy as presiding judge of the First Judicial Administrative Region.

She will oversee 34 counties, including Dallas County.

Among Murphy’s responsibilities will be hearing motions to recuse judges or … [visit site to read more]

Dallas man sentenced to life in prison in beating death of toddler

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A Dallas County jury Thursday convicted a 19-year-old man of capital murder in the beating death of his girlfriend’s toddler.

State District Judge Robert Burns sentenced Alex Roberson to an automatic sentence of life without parole in the murder of 20-month of Trey Jenkins.

The injuries that killed Trey indicated he suffered a brutal beating in July 2012.

Is Dallas County DA Craig Watkins recruiting prosecutors to run against sitting judges? If he is, is that a problem?

Dallas County felony judges give family violence, child victim cases precedence

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For years, probably decades, the cases of defendants in the Dallas County Jail have gotten precedence in the courts because it saved the county money by sending them to prison, probation or acquitting … [visit site to read more]


Gov. Rick Perry appoints Jennifer Balido to open Dallas County felony court bench

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Jennifer Balido

This post has been updated.

Gov. Rick Perry Monday appointed defense attorney Jennifer Balido to the state district … [visit site to read more]

Jennifer Balido sworn in as judge of Dallas County’s 291st district court

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State District Judge Rick Magnis swears in Jennifer Balido as state district judge of the 291st District Court on Monday. (Jennifer Emily)

Jennifer Balido was sworn in Monday as … [visit site to read more]

Disbarred Dallas civil attorney Tom Corea on trial for stealing from clients

Judge raises bond for man accused of shooting 8-year-old boy in face

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State District Judge Larry Mitchell raised the bond Wednesday for a man accused of shooting an 8-year-old boy in the face in September.

Brian Cloninger, 46, must pay $1 million cash or a $5 million bond if he uses a bail bondsman.visit site to read more]

State District Judge Mark Stoltz will not seek re-election

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State District Judge Mark Stoltz will not seek re-election.

State District Judge Mark Stoltz

Stoltz had been seeking a third term on his Dallas County felony … [visit site to read more]

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