About the Dallas Court

Present:

 

About the Director and Court

Gregory Nelson is the director of the City of Dallas Court & Detention Services.

With a staff of over 250 and a budget of $17M, the department provides administrative and clerical support for the Dallas Municipal Court, which adjudicates Class C Misdemeanors of fine-only offenses and civil cases. We provide services online, in person, and by mail. With over 900 municipal courts in the State of Texas, Dallas is one of the top 3 in the state. In addition to oversight of the clerical functions of the court, the department oversees the following:


    • Municipal Court Administration;

    • Parking Adjudication;

    • The Dallas Marshal's Office, which includes the City Detention Center, The Sobering Center, and other law enforcement-related duties;

    • City Security and the 

    • School Crossing Guard Program. 

Past:


The City of Dallas Municipal Court was created in 1899 in response to a state law requiring cities to institute a judicial branch of local government to address violations of city ordinances. It has jurisdiction over minor criminal cases and some civil cases. From 1899 until 1904 it was presided over by the mayor before a full-time judge was appointed. In 1941 a second court was created by the Dallas City Council, and due to expanded operations, a third court was created in 1955. Today, the Municipal Court has eleven courts, five community courts, and around 130 employees.