D'Metria Benson has a bachelor 27s degree from Texas Christian University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. She is a member of her church's vestry and sings in the choir.

D'Metria Benson - Ballotpedia

Campaign Finance Reports - Dallas County

D'Metria Benson has a bachelor 's degree from Texas Christian University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. She is a member of her church.

D'Metria is a judge for the Dallas County Court at Law No. 1. She has been on the bench since 2014. Before joining the court, she was an attorney in private practice. 

D'Metria was previously an attorney in private practice. 

D'Metria is currently a judge of the Dallas County Court at Law No. 1. She was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

Judge D'Metria Benson - People Newspapers

D'Metria is currently a judge of the Dallas County Court at Law No. 1. She was first elected in 2006.

As a county court judge, 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.

Has experience in both criminal and civil law.

Experienced in both criminal and civil law.

- As a county court judge, 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.
- Experienced in both criminal and civil law.

Legal Experience

Committed to "upholding the law with integrity and ensuring equal justice for all."

- Committed to "upholding the law with integrity and ensuring equal justice for all."

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, D'Metria Benson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Has volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, and the Urban League.

Served on the boards of various arts organizations in Dallas, Texas.

- Has volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, and the Urban League.
- Served on the boards of various arts organizations in Dallas, Texas.

Community Involvement

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D'Metria Benson

D'Metria has 26 years of legal experience and was previously an attorney in private practice. 

- Experienced in both criminal and civil law.

Rafael Perez

Walter Ley

Prioritizes "fairness and equality in the courtroom."

Erin Nowell is from North Carolina. She has a bachelor 27s degree in English from Wake Forest University and a law degree from the University of Texas. She has a son and lives in Dallas, Texas.

Erin Nowell - Ballotpedia

Attorney Erin Anderson Nowell '96 fights for justice, diversity in Dallas |

Erin Nowell: Triumph through discomfort - Lone Star Parity Project

Simon Greenstone's Erin Nowell of Dallas Named Among Top ...

Erin Nowell is from North Carolina. She earned a bachelor's degree in english from Wake Forest University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. She lives with one kid in Dallas, Texas.

Erin is an attorney at Simon Greenstone Panatier, where she focuses on helping individuals injured by corporate negligence, indifference, and greed. She previously worked as a kindergarten teacher.

Of Counsel - Cornell Law School

Erin currently works as an of counsel lawyer (neither an associate or partner) for the Carter Law Group. She previously worked as a partner for the Carter Law Group, a stakeholder and an associate at Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, PC, and an associate of Kelley Witherspoon LLP, Jones Day, and Baron & Budd.

Erin previously served as a judge for Place 5 of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2024. She ran for re-election in 2024 but did not win. 

2022 Texas primary: Statewide voter guide | KERA News

Erin previously served as judge for Place 5 of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals. She served one term from 2019 to 2024.

Hon. Erin Nowell, Of Counsel – Carter Law Group

As an of counsel lawyer and partner of the Carter Law Group for one year, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

As a state court of criminal appeals judge in Texas's Fifth District Court of Appeals for six years, exercised discretion over whether the court will review certain criminal cases, heard all cases involving capital felony sentencing, denial of bail, requests for review of rights violations and wrongful imprisonment, and the state’s use of the death penalty, and provided final interpretation of state criminal statutes.

As an attorney, has experience prosecuting claims and defending lawsuits, currently focusing on representing victims of serious injuries or wrongful death from corporate negligence and toxic substances.

As an associate attorney at Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, PC for six years, has experience prosecuting claims and defending lawsuits, focused on representing victims of serious injuries or wrongful death from toxic substances.

- As an of counsel lawyer and partner of the Carter Law Group for one year, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.
- As a state court of criminal appeals judge in Texas's Fifth District Court of Appeals for six years, exercised discretion over whether the court will review certain criminal cases, heard all cases involving capital felony sentencing, denial of bail, requests for review of rights violations and wrongful imprisonment, and the state’s use of the death penalty, and provided final interpretation of state criminal statutes.
- As an associate attorney at Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, PC for six years, has experience prosecuting claims and defending lawsuits, focused on representing victims of serious injuries or wrongful death from toxic substances.

Served with impartiality while a state court of criminal appeals judge, but stands behind individuals over institutions.

Prioritizes reinforcing public trust in the justice system and ensuring every litigant's right to a fair outcome.

- Served with impartiality while a state court of criminal appeals judge, but stands behind individuals over institutions.
- Prioritizes reinforcing public trust in the justice system and ensuring every litigant's right to a fair outcome.

Values efficiency and diligence in moving cases through the courts.

- Values efficiency and diligence in moving cases through the courts.

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

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Erin Nowell

- Served with impartiality while a state court of criminal appeals judge, but stands behind individuals over institutions.

As of January 22, 2026, Erin Nowell did not have a website or any information online.

- A County Court-At-Law judge handles misdemeanors, such as assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer. They also handle civil cases where the amount in question does not exceed $200,000. 
- County Court-At-Law judges conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials, as well as accept guilty pleas. 
- They 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 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 civil and criminal cases from District Courts.

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 County Court-At-Law Judge, Democratic Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement