2026 Texas General Election

Shequitta Kelly is from Michigan City, Indiana. She has a bachelor 27s degree in psychology and criminal justice from Indiana University and a law degree from the Indiana University School of Law. She is an active member of Friendship West Baptist Church.

About Judge Shequitta Kelly

Judge Shequitta Kelly - CORE Magazine

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Shequitta Kelly is originally from Michigan City, Indiana. She earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and psychology from Indiana University Bloomington and a law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Shequitta is a member of Friendship West Baptist Church.

Shequitta is a judge for Dallas County Criminal Court #11. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted severe child abuse cases. She has also served as a national motivational speaker. 

Shequitta Kelly - Ballotpedia

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Shequitta previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and as a deputy prosecutor in the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office in Indiana.

Shequitta is currently a judge on the Dallas County Criminal Court #11. She was first elected in 2015.

Costa, D'Esposito host Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice ...

Shequitta currently serves as the Judge of Dallas County Criminal Court No. 11 in Texas. She was first elected in 2014 and is serving her third term. 

As a municipal court judge, she oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducts preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issues search and arrest warrants, and determines sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

As an assistant district attorney, she 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 a municipal court judge, she oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducts preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issues search and arrest warrants, and determines sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.
- As an assistant district attorney, she 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.

Legal Experience

Democrat Primary Candidate Q&As - Dallas County Criminal Court 11 Shequitta D Kelly

Believes cases should be resolved efficiently and not linger in the system.

Believes court operations should adapt to maintain access to justice, including through technology.

- Believes cases should be resolved efficiently and not linger in the system.
- Believes court operations should adapt to maintain access to justice, including through technology.

Judicial Administration

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Believes sentencing should be grounded in fairness, accountability, and the law.

Believes judges must be impartial, maintain professional boundaries, and apply the law without personal bias.

Supports electing judges through partisan elections as a form of public accountability.

Supports restorative and rehabilitative approaches within the criminal justice system.

- Believes sentencing should be grounded in fairness, accountability, and the law.
- Believes judges must be impartial, maintain professional boundaries, and apply the law without personal bias.
- Supports electing judges through partisan elections as a form of public accountability.
- Supports restorative and rehabilitative approaches within the criminal justice system.

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Shequitta D Kelly’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Supports youth education initiatives to reduce involvement in the criminal justice system.

Hosts a monthly event called Curls, Clippers and Conversations, focused on educating the hair industry about the criminal justice system.

Serves on the board of directors for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce the the Advisory Board for The Lullaby House.

- Supports youth education initiatives to reduce involvement in the criminal justice system.
- Hosts a monthly event called Curls, Clippers and Conversations, focused on educating the hair industry about the criminal justice system.
- Serves on the board of directors for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce the the Advisory Board for The Lullaby House.

Community Involvement

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Shequitta D Kelly

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- Handles cases for Class A misdemeanors–including assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer when resisting or evading arrest–and Class B misdemeanors–including criminal mischief and property theft between $100 and $750.
- Serves as an appellate judge for cases from local courts. They work on all cases they receive until they are closed or appealed to a higher court.
- County criminal court-at-law judges are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county criminal court-at-law judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles various misdemeanors and criminal appeals from local courts.

Dallas County Criminal Court at Law Judge, Post 11

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