Alyssa Patterson is from Dallas, Texas, and was raised in Cedar Hill, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from the University of North Texas and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. 

Alyssa Patterson has a bachelor 's degree in political science from the University of North Texas and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. 

Alyssa is an attorney. She previously served as a prosecutor for the City of Dallas. Before that, she worked as a briefing attorney for the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals. She began her legal career as a family law and criminal defense attorney in Dallas County. 

Alyssa is an attorney who previously served as a prosecutor for the City of Dallas. She also worked as assistant district attorney for Travis County, a briefing attorney for the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals, and she began her legal career as a family law and criminal defense attorney in Dallas County. 

Alyssa has over ten years of legal experience as a criminal defense attorney and family law attorney. She has also served as a briefing attorney for the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals and as a prosecutor for the City of Dallas.

Alyssa's campaign for criminal district judge in Dallas County is her first campaign for public office.

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As a prosecutor for the City of Dallas, handled misdemeanor, felony, and appellate cases, earning a reputation as a skilled, ethical, and dedicated criminal trial attorney.

As a prosecutor for the City of Dallas, she handled thousands of criminal cases, including misdemeanor, felony, and appellate cases.

As an assistant district attorney for three years, 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 prosecutor for the City of Dallas, she handled thousands of criminal cases, including misdemeanor, felony, and appellate cases.
- As an assistant district attorney for three years, 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

Plans to handle and resolve cases swiftly and work to eliminate backlogs in the Dallas County Criminal Courts.

Plans to handle and resolve cases "swiftly," and work to eliminate backlogs in the Dallas County Criminal Courts.

For Candidate Alyssa J. Patterson on Issue judicial-administration:  
Supports the implementation of a Night Court program to provide citizens access to the courts after hours.

Supports the implementation of a Night Court program to provide citizens access to the courts after hours.

For Candidate Alyssa J. Patterson on Issue judicial-philosophy: Plans to start a first-time youthful offender program for first-time offenders ages 17-25 on certain felony crimes.

Plans to start a first-time youthful offender program for first-time offenders ages 17-25 on certain felony crimes.

Promises to have offenders screened for mental health issues and substance abuse problems before their cases are resolved.

- Plans to handle and resolve cases "swiftly," and work to eliminate backlogs in the Dallas County Criminal Courts.
- Supports the implementation of a Night Court program to provide citizens access to the courts after hours.
- Plans to start a first-time youthful offender program for first-time offenders ages 17-25 on certain felony crimes.
- Promises to have offenders screened for mental health issues and substance abuse problems before their cases are resolved.

Judicial Administration

Deeply understands the complexities of the criminal justice system, including the impacts of poverty and limited access to legal resources, and approaches justice with fairness, integrity, and compassion.

Approaches justice with "fairness, integrity, and compassion."

- Approaches justice with "fairness, integrity, and compassion."

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Alyssa J. Patterson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dallas Alumnae Chapter.

- She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dallas Alumnae Chapter.

Community Involvement

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Alyssa J. Patterson

Alyssa is an attorney who previously served as a prosecutor for the City of Dallas. She also worked as a briefing attorney for the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals, and began her legal career as a family law and criminal defense attorney in Dallas County. 

- As a prosecutor for the City of Dallas, she handled thousands of criminal cases, including misdemeanor, felony, and appellate cases.

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

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.

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.

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".

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

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.

Lakesha Smith

- 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.

Smith has a dollar limit on contributions from criminal law attorneys in Tarrant County to build community trust and demonstrate that her judicial decisions are not for sale.

Actively involved in Dallas community organizations and legal advocacy.

Sindhu Mareen Alexander is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She has over 25 years of legal and courtroom experience. 

Sindhu Mareen Alexander - Avvo

Mareen Alexander is from Houston, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

Sindhu Mareen Alexander is a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. She began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County. In 2002, she launched her own private practice, representing clients in both state and federal court throughout Texas. Alexander also serves as a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients in Dallas County.

Lone Star Justice - About

Mareen is the owner and attorney of the Law Office of Sindhu Alexander. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

Sindhu Mareen Alexander is a board-certified criminal law attorney with over 25 years of legal and courtroom experience. She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County. In 2002, she launched her own private practice, representing clients in both state and federal court throughout Texas. Alexander's work as a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients in Dallas County reflects her core belief that every person deserves to be heard and treated fairly under the law.

Texas elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Mareen's campaign for judge of the Dallas County Criminal District No. 5 is her first run for public office.

Candidate website

guardian ad litem - Cornell Law School

As an assistant district attorney, handled a broad range of criminal cases.

As an assistant district attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office for three years, 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 private practice attorney, focused on serious felony offenses, particularly child abuse cases, and also represented parents and children in child protective services cases, served as a guardian ad litem for children, and defended juveniles.

As a private practice attorney, focused on serious felony offenses, particularly child abuse cases, and also represented parents and children in child protective services cases, served as a guardian ad litem for children (a court-appointed person to look after and protect the interests of someone who can't take care of themselves), and defended juveniles.

- As an assistant district attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office for three years, 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 private practice attorney, focused on serious felony offenses, particularly child abuse cases, and also represented parents and children in child protective services cases, served as a guardian ad litem for children (a court-appointed person to look after and protect the interests of someone who can't take care of themselves), and defended juveniles.

As of January 22, 2026, Mareen Alexander’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in providing strong legal representation for those who cannot afford an attorney, and supports fair treatment for all individuals under the law.

- Believes in providing strong legal representation for those who cannot afford an attorney, and supports fair treatment for all individuals under the law.

Is a member of various criminal defense lawyer associations in Texas.

- Is a member of various criminal defense lawyer associations in Texas.

Mareen Alexander

Has experience as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor.

Has 25 years of experience in criminal law.

- 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

This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

Dallas Criminal District Judge, Democratic Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement