MISSION

The mission of Community Prosecution is to provide the City of Dallas with highly skilled and dedicated attorneys who serve and empower stakeholders and civil servants through strategic enforcement and creative problem solving to improve quality of life, increase public safety, and strengthen communities.

HISTORY

The Dallas City Attorney's Office adopted the community prosecution model in 2001. Community Prosecutors ("CPs") were assigned to designated target areas based on census tracts or council districts to address code violations.

Today, Community Prosecution works cases across the City, and is responsible for addressing code and fire code violations, environmental violations, and criminal activity.

OVERVIEW

Vacant, abandoned, and poorly managed/maintained properties harm communities. They breed hazardous building conditions, criminal activity, and other quality of life concerns. They threaten the health and safety of neighbors and impose significant economic costs on the larger community by lowering property values and requiring costly code and police enforcement.

To successfully remediate these problems, a community needs to have a broad range of tools and strategies at its disposal. By targeting these properties, cities can create safer and stronger neighborhoods, build more vibrant and economically sustainable communities, and provide new opportunities for success.

To seek redress in these areas, Community Prosecution has the authority to bring civil law enforcement actions to enforce state nuisance laws and city ordinances. While always seeking to resolve issues ahead of court intervention, when necessary, CPs initiate state district and municipal court cases. Additionally, some CPs are assigned to the Litigation Unit to ensure litigation cases are thoroughly investigated and aggressively pursued.

CP also regularly works with transactional attorneys and other city departments on the development and implementation of proactive policies and strategies to improve the quality of life in the City of Dallas.

MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL APPROACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CPs are a part of the communities that they serve. Most CPs work alongside police detectives, code officers, and fire prevention officers from each of the seven police substations across the city. Being outside of City Hall and side-by-side with residents ensures that they are accessible, responsive, and plugged-in to the community’s unique challenges. Their connectedness ensures that CP is prepared to develop strategies to address problem properties.

To effectively serve the community in a proactive fashion, CPs are tasked with generating and   cultivating community involvement. This involvement is integral to identifying problems, addressing   their roots, and providing solutions in a manner that best serves the community.

COMMUNITY PROSECUTION MATTERS - PUBLIC DATA

Meet Your Community Prosecutors

The service district listed below represents the geographic areas in which each attorney serves. To locate a specific property’s service district, enter the address here. For general questions, concerns, or suggestions, please reach out to us at communityprosecutiondallas@dallas.gov.