Lia is from Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Houston. She has a bachelor of science degree in political science from the University of Houston. She has a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in Houston.

Lia Polk, Dallas Criminal Attorney • Dunham & Jones

Lia Reshae Polk is from Dallas, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston and a law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston.

Lia is a public interest lawyer. She works at Dunham & Jones Attorneys at Law. She previously worked as an Assistant Public Defender for more than a decade with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office and taught criminal law and conflict management and dispute resolution as adjunct faculty at Dallas College.

Find A Lawyer | Lia Reshae' Polk - State Bar of Texas

Lia is a criminal attorney at Dunham & Jones Attorneys at Law. She previously worked as an assistant public defender at Dallas County Public Defender’s Office and as an adjunct faculty with Dallas College in the School of Law and Public Service. 

Lia Reshae Polk's campaign for Dallas County Criminal District Judge is her first run for public office.

Municipal elections in Dallas County, Texas (2026) - Ballotpedia

Lia's campaign for Dallas County criminal district judge is her first run for public office. 

Has over a decade of experience as a public defender.

As a criminal attorney, specializes in felony and misdemeanor cases, bench and jury trials, motion practice, and complex criminal litigation.

As a public defender and trial attorney, handled cases ranging from assault family violence to capital murder, as well as juvenile and CPS cases involving child welfare. Her courtroom experience includes trials, hearings, and pretrial advocacy.

- As a criminal attorney, specializes in felony and misdemeanor cases, bench and jury trials, motion practice, and complex criminal litigation.
- As a public defender and trial attorney, handled cases ranging from assault family violence to capital murder, as well as juvenile and CPS cases involving child welfare. Her courtroom experience includes trials, hearings, and pretrial advocacy.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, Lia Reshae Polk’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Believes in a transparent, neutral, unbiased courtroom where decisions are grounded in law, discretion is exercised responsibly, and all parties are treated with respect.

Believes personal connection to the community is important "on the bench."

Values compassion and recognizing individual mental health needs, financial realities, and individual circumstances.

- Believes in a transparent, neutral, unbiased courtroom where decisions are grounded in law, discretion is exercised responsibly, and all parties are treated with respect.
- Believes personal connection to the community is important "on the bench."
- Values compassion and recognizing individual mental health needs, financial realities, and individual circumstances.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Has trained attorneys, law students, and interns and held leadership roles including Chair of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Duncanville.

- Has trained attorneys, law students, and interns and held leadership roles including Chair of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Duncanville.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

Lia Reshae Polk

- Values fairness, accountability, equality, and integrity with a balanced and thoughtful approach to cases.
- Believes justice should be fair, consistent, and rooted inexperience.
- Believes "justice works best when it is applied equally, thoughtfully, and with an understanding of real-life circumstances."
- Believes in a transparent, neutral, unbiased courtroom where decisions are grounded in law, discretion is exercised responsibly, and all parties are treated with respect.
- Believes personal connection to the community is important "on the bench."
- Plans to ensure due process and fairness for all, regardless of background resources or circumstances.
- Values compassion and recognizing individual mental health needs, financial realities, and individual circumstances.

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Stephanie Duecker Hudson

Stephanie Hudson received her law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Stephanie is a criminal defense attorney. She works in private practice in Dallas County, where she has practiced criminal law for 27 years. She previously worked at local law firms handling trials for people accused of crimes.

Candidate website

Stephanie is a criminal defense attorney and solo practitioner. She has practiced criminal law in Dallas County for 27 years

Has 25 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney.

Claims to have "extensive experience" in the courtroom and a "profound understanding" of the legal system.

- Claims to have "extensive experience" in the courtroom and a "profound understanding" of the legal system.

Wants to reduce case backlogs, enhance access to legal resources for underrepresented communities, and promote restorative justice practices.

Supports "enhancing access to legal resources for underrepresented communities."

Seeks to promote restorative justice practices. 

- Wants to reduce case backlogs.
- Supports "enhancing access to legal resources for underrepresented communities."
- Seeks to promote restorative justice practices. 

Aims to ensure that the court system operates with the "utmost fairness and integrity."

Believes in the importance of a "transparent and accountable judiciary, where every individual is treated with dignity and respect."

Thinks our courts should "protect public safety while upholding the rights of all individuals."

- Aims to ensure that the court system operates with the "utmost fairness and integrity."
- Believes in the importance of a "transparent and accountable judiciary, where every individual is treated with dignity and respect."
- Thinks our courts should "protect public safety while upholding the rights of all individuals."

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

Stephanie Hudson

Stephanie is a criminal defense attorney. She has practiced criminal law for 27 years.

Said, "I am committed to a fair, accountable, and transparent judiciary."

- 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

Election results

Candidates (2)

Compare candidates

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement