I have brought purpose to the bench. 

In 2012, I started the STRIDE (Striving Toward Responsibility, Independence, Decency and Excellence) diversion docket.  Together with the Dallas County Probation Dept., the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, the Court, and community resources, we work to stop criminalizing young, first time, offenders, age 17-25. 

The misdemeanor courts are the gateway into the criminal justice system.  In addition to the Court’s regular docket, we work extensively to inspire this group, teaching them life skills, monitoring their performance in school (high school and college), helping them to obtain employment, as well as making educational advancement a condition of resolving the criminal case with a dismissal. 

My goal is for young adult offenders to take their futures back and reach their highest potential without the stigma of a criminal record.  For the last 8 years, working in partnership with community, we have reached this goal and will continue to STRIDE.

Judge Julia Hayes