Ballotpedia, Staci Williams

Staci holds a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. 

Staci previously worked as a trial attorney and an administrative judge for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, counsel to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, and as an attorney in private practice. She also worked as corporate counsel in the defense, telecommunications, and retail industries.

Staci Williams currently serves as a state district court judge in District 101. She was elected to this position in 2014 and is serving her third term. She previously served as a municipal court judge in the City of Dallas. 

Candidate website

As a District Court Judge, presided over civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases.

As a District Court Judge for 10 years, Williams oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts and presided over civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases.

Worked in private practice handling employment, commercial, business, personal injury, and criminal matters.

As a private practice attorney, Williams researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in employment, commercial, business, personal injury, and criminal matters.

Served as a municipal judge for the city of Dallas.

As a municipal court judge for the City of Dallas, Williams oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases. 

Served as a trial attorney and administrative judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Served as counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

- As a District Court Judge for 10 years, Williams oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts and presided over civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases.
- As a private practice attorney, Williams researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in employment, commercial, business, personal injury, and criminal matters.
- As a municipal court judge for the City of Dallas, Williams oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases. 
- Served as a trial attorney and administrative judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Served as counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Legal Experience

Believes new leadership is needed to address the Fifth District Court of Appeals' backlog, particularly in criminal cases.

Believes new leadership is needed to address a "backlog, particularly in criminal cases" in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. 

Said, "Denise Garcia can’t even handle the job she has, according to the statistics from the Office of Court Administration."

Believes the Fifth District Court of Appeals is "the worst-performing appeals court in Texas" for criminal appeals and is "happy with the status quo."

Believes the Fifth District Court of Appeals is "the worst-performing appeals court in Texas..."

Supports educating citizens about the civil court system to encourage jury participation.

As a Judge, Williams established the Citizens’ Civil Academy, which aims to educate County residents about the civil court system. 

Promises to make decisions that "always reflect the law" and to enhance court transparency.

Plans to improve "the judicial process with fairness and efficiency."

Said "My focus will always be on the people of the District,"

- Believes new leadership is needed to address a "backlog, particularly in criminal cases" in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. 
- Said, "Denise Garcia can’t even handle the job she has, according to the statistics from the Office of Court Administration."
- Believes the Fifth District Court of Appeals is "the worst-performing appeals court in Texas..."
- As a Judge, Williams established the Citizens’ Civil Academy, which aims to educate County residents about the civil court system. 
- Promises to make decisions that "always reflect the law" and to enhance court transparency.
- Plans to improve "the judicial process with fairness and efficiency."
- Said "My focus will always be on the people of the District,"

Judicial Administration

Believes that as people become more enlightened, they are more likely to participate in government, such as jury service.

Believes that "The more enlightened people become, then they’re more likely to want to participate in the government, as in jury service."

Believes the judicial bench is crucial for safeguarding Texas residents from "radical policies" pushed by "a very wealthy few."

Believes the judicial bench is crucial for safeguarding  state residents from "radical policies advanced by a very wealthy few."

- Believes that "The more enlightened people become, then they’re more likely to want to participate in the government, as in jury service."
- Believes the judicial bench is crucial for safeguarding  state residents from "radical policies advanced by a very wealthy few."

Judicial Philosophy

Believes his opponent's campaign is "misleading beyond belief" for using a quote from an editorial endorsing him to suggest she earned the endorsement of The Dallas Morning News.

Believes his opponent's, Brandi Voss' campaign is "misleading beyond belief" for using a quote from an editorial endorsing him to suggest she earned the endorsement of The Dallas Morning News.

Said, "As a judge, I do not believe it is appropriate to seek support from groups where a large portion of the members and financial supporters are lawyers who may end up appearing in my court."

Believes in maintaining ethical conduct by refraining from spreading "misleading and false information," especially at Democratic Party club endorsement meetings.

Said, "I call upon my opponent [Voss] to stop distributing misleading and false information, particularly at Democratic Party club endorsement meetings,”

Said, "the only people who benefit if Denise Garcia is elected Chief Justice are her political consultants and Governor Abbott because he gets to appoint someone to her position if she wins."

Said, "All of the candidates put up for this court, and who have ever won a seat on this court as Democrats are clients of ONE POLITICAL CONSULTANT, who believes he owns the Fifth District Court of Appeals and uses the same as his personal political playground."

- Believes his opponent's, Brandi Voss' campaign is "misleading beyond belief" for using a quote from an editorial endorsing him to suggest she earned the endorsement of The Dallas Morning News.
- Said, "As a judge, I do not believe it is appropriate to seek support from groups where a large portion of the members and financial supporters are lawyers who may end up appearing in my court."
- Said, "I call upon my opponent [Voss] to stop distributing misleading and false information, particularly at Democratic Party club endorsement meetings,”
- Said, "the only people who benefit if Denise Garcia is elected Chief Justice are her political consultants and Governor Abbott because he gets to appoint someone to her position if she wins."
- Said, "All of the candidates put up for this court, and who have ever won a seat on this court as Democrats are clients of ONE POLITICAL CONSULTANT, who believes he owns the Fifth District Court of Appeals and uses the same as his personal political playground."

Ethics & Conduct

Served on the Board of Trustees for The Hockaday School, Board of Directors for Dispute Mediation Service, Inc., Board of Directors for S.A.A.V.E.D., and Community Advisory Board for North Texas Volunteer Center.

Served on the Board of Trustees for The Hockaday School, Board of Directors for Dispute Mediation Service, Inc., Board of Directors for S.A.A.V.E.D., and the Community Advisory Board for North Texas Volunteer Center.

- Served on the Board of Trustees for The Hockaday School, Board of Directors for Dispute Mediation Service, Inc., Board of Directors for S.A.A.V.E.D., and the Community Advisory Board for North Texas Volunteer Center.

Community Involvement

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Staci Williams

Justin holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Duke University and a law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. He lives in Dallas County. He and his wife Amanda have 2 children. Their family attends Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Justin previously worked as an attorney at William M. Woodall, P.C. and as an associate at Bellinger & DeWolf, LLP. He also worked as a prosecutor with the Dallas County District Attorney’s office and as an attorney and director of legal solutions at Thompson Reuters. 

Ballotpedia, JJ Koch

Justin Jay "J.J." Koch currently serves as a Judge of Criminal District Court 2. He was appointed to that position in 2023. He previously served as a Dallas County Commissioner in District 2. He was elected to that position in 2018 and served for 1 full term.

As an attorney at William M. Woodall, P.C. for 3 years, Koch researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

As an associate with Bellinger & DeWolf, LLP for 4 years, Koch researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

As an assistant district attorney with the Dallas County District Attorney's Office for 1 year, Koch prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As an attorney at William M. Woodall, P.C. for 3 years, Koch researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.
- As an associate with Bellinger & DeWolf, LLP for 4 years, Koch researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.
- As an assistant district attorney with the Dallas County District Attorney's Office for 1 year, Koch prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Believes "The Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas has consistently misapplied procedures and ignored precedent..." and plans to "reestablish judicial restraint and end policymaking from the bench."

- Believes "The Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas has consistently misapplied procedures and ignored precedent..." and plans to "reestablish judicial restraint and end policymaking from the bench."

As of September 7, 2024, Justin Jay "J.J." Koch’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Has served as a "Big" with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and as Treasurer and Board Member for the HPUMC Child Development Program.

Served as a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Bishop Lynch High School. 

- Served as a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Bishop Lynch High School. 