2026 Texas General Election

Lakesha Smith attended Seattle University. She has a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and a law degree from Tulane University School of Law.

A legacy of respect - Solid Ground

Lakesha Smith has a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and a law degree from Tulane University School of Law.

Lakesha is a legal advisor and attorney. She works at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, where she provides legal counsel to all divisions across the agency, handling Public Information Act requests, subpoenas, litigation discovery, settlements, contracts, disciplinary letters, and appeals. She previously worked as a prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, a public defender in the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office, and ran her own legal firm where she successfully handled hundreds of cases.

Lakesha is an attorney. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, a public defender and private defense attorney at the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office, and a legal advisor to the Dallas County Sheriff.

Lakesha Smith's campaign for Dallas Criminal District Judge, District 213, is her first entry into politics.

 Lakesha Smith 213th District Court - Texas 2020 

Lakesha Smith, candidate for Texas District Judge | Dallas Morning ...

Lakesha previously ran for Texas District Judge in 2020 but did not win. 

As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.

As an assistant district attorney, 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 public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.

- As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.
- As an assistant district attorney, 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 public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.

Legal Experience

Commits to managing the court docket efficiently and effectively to save taxpayer resources and ensure timely justice delivery.

- Commits to managing the court docket efficiently and effectively to save taxpayer resources and ensure timely justice delivery.

Judicial Administration

Believes in using common sense and compassion in sentencing while following the law, ensuring fairness and allowing both sides to be heard in every case.

Believes in using common sense, compassion in sentencing, and following the law, ensuring fairness and allowing both sides to be heard in every case.

Believes courts should reflect the diversity and values resent in the community.

Values truth and accountability from the courts.

Plans to ensure that all parties are treated with dignity and respect.

Believes a judge should be "fair, balanced, honest, respectful, compassionate, open-minded, understanding, patient, and decisive."

Believes judges should not be influenced by party politics.

Supports "peaceful protest", not "breaking the law".

- Believes in using common sense, compassion in sentencing, and following the law, ensuring fairness and allowing both sides to be heard in every case.
- Believes courts should reflect the diversity and values resent in the community.
- Values truth and accountability from the courts.
- Plans to ensure that all parties are treated with dignity and respect.
- Believes a judge should be "fair, balanced, honest, respectful, compassionate, open-minded, understanding, patient, and decisive."
- Believes judges should not be influenced by party politics.
- Supports "peaceful protest", not "breaking the law".

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Lakesha Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Mentors children interested in higher education and law, encouraged community support, and organized small groups of individuals to promote safe environments.

- Mentors children interested in higher education and law, encouraged community support, and organized small groups of individuals to promote safe environments.

Community Involvement

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Lakesha Smith

Buket Urgen

- Has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters in the district.
- Cases either go to the Court of Appeals or directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals, where their legal reasoning may be reviewed. May hear appeals from county courts when authorized.
- County’s criminal courts administration–which has positions like case managers, magistrate support officers, and bailiffs–reports to each county’s criminal district judge.
- Criminal District Judges are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. 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 eight years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The salary for Criminal District Judges range from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Presides over all felony criminal cases within the elected district.

Dallas Criminal District Judge, Post 5

Candidates (1)