Desmond is from Dallas, Texas. He attended the University of North Texas. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas. He has a law degree from Baylor University School of Law, where he received certification in criminal practice.

Criminal Defense Attorney | Cooks Law Firm | Dallas

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Desmond "Dez" Cooks is from Dallas, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas and a law degree from the Baylor University School of Law. Desmond lives in Dallas, Texas.

Desmond is an Associate Municipal Judge. He works at the City of Dallas, where he has served since 2016. He previously represented the State of Texas in criminal matters and served as a criminal defense attorney.

Desmond currently serves as an associate municipal judge for the city of Dallas. He previously served as an associate for Scheef & Stone, the Willis Law Group, and Helms & Greene, along with an assistant city attorney for the State of Texas. He served in the U.S. Navy as an second class petty officer.

Desmond Cooks - Ballotpedia

Desmond previously ran for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Place 2 in Precinct 5 in 2022, but did not win.

As an associate municipal judge for the City of Dallas for 10 years, 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 served as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge.

As an associate for various law firms for six years, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients as lead lawyer on 100+ jury and bench trials, specializing in personal injury, criminal defense, and business law.

As a criminal defense attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in commercial and business litigation, real estate disputes, and complex commercial disputes.

As a criminal defense attorney for the State of Texas for three years, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in commercial and business litigation, real estate disputes, and complex commercial disputes.

- As an associate municipal judge for the City of Dallas for 10 years, 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.
- As an associate for various law firms for six years, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients as lead lawyer on 100+ jury and bench trials, specializing in personal injury, criminal defense, and business law.
- As a criminal defense attorney for the State of Texas for three years, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in commercial and business litigation, real estate disputes, and complex commercial disputes.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, Desmond (Dez) Cooks’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Believes in being guided by honesty, transparency, and accountability, and promises to uphold the highest ethical standards while serving the needs of the community.

- Believes in being guided by honesty, transparency, and accountability, and promises to uphold the highest ethical standards while serving the needs of the community.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Desmond (Dez) Cooks

Desmond currently serves as an associate municipal judge for the City of Dallas. He previously served as an associate for Scheef & Stone, the Willis Law Group, and Helms & Greene, along with an assistant city attorney for the State of Texas. He served in the U.S. Navy as an second class petty officer.

- Believes in being "guided by honesty, transparency, and accountability" and acting with fairness and trustworthiness.
- Promises to "uphold the highest ethical standards in every decision."
- Believes in being "dedicated to serving the needs of the community."

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Walter Ley

Believes in acting with fairness and trustworthiness.

Believes in being "dedicated to serving the needs of the community."

Promises to "uphold the highest ethical standards in every decision."

Believes in being "guided by honesty, transparency, and accountability" and acting with fairness and trustworthiness.

Kim Cooks earned a bachelor's degree in biology, medical technology, and business management from the University of Texas at Arlington and a law degree from Texas Southern University.

Kim is a Texas District Court Judge. She works at the 194th District Court in Dallas County, where she has been for 10 years. She previously worked as a trial attorney in private practice for 13 years handling criminal, family, and civil cases and earlier worked as a medical technologist in a hospital laboratory's hematology department.

Kim previously worked as an attorney in criminal, family, and civil law, a medical technologist, a mediator, a realtor, and a professional body builder.

Municipal elections in Dallas County, Texas (2022) - Ballotpedia

Kim previously served as a judge for the Texas 255th District Court. She was first elected in 2014 and served two terms. Kim ran for judge for Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 11 in 2024 but did not win.

As a licensed attorney for 23 years and a Texas District Court Judge for 10 years, Kim Cooks has experience as a trial attorney in Criminal, Family, and Civil law, currently presiding over cases in these areas.

As a licensed attorney for 23 years and a Texas District Court Judge for 10 years, Kim Cooks has experience as an attorney and presiding judge in criminal, family, and civil law cases.

- As a licensed attorney for 23 years and a Texas District Court Judge for 10 years, Kim Cooks has experience as an attorney and presiding judge in criminal, family, and civil law cases.

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

Said she has a "commitment to ensuring fairness, justice, and dignity when adjudicating cases [and] upholding the integrity of the Judiciary."

- Said she has a "commitment to ensuring fairness, justice, and dignity when adjudicating cases [and] upholding the integrity of the Judiciary."

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Kim Cooks

Peggy Hoffman has a law degree from Southern Methodist University. She has two children.

Peggy is a judge. She works at the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9, where she has been since 2014.

Peggy Hoffman - Ballotpedia

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Peggy is an adjunct professor at the Southern Methodist University School of Law. She was previously a solo practitioner in criminal defense, a felony prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York's District Attorney's Office, and a Dallas County prosecutor.

Peggy Hoffman is currently a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 in Texas. She was elected in 2014.

Peggy is currently a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 in Texas. She was elected in 2007.

As a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 since 2014, oversees criminal cases within the court's jurisdiction.

As a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 since 2014, she oversees criminal cases within the court's jurisdiction.

Experienced as a felony prosecutor in Dallas's Child Abuse Division.

Represented clients throughout North Texas in cases ranging from murder and aggravated sexual assault to driving while intoxicated.

- As a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 since 2014, she oversees criminal cases within the court's jurisdiction.
- Experienced as a felony prosecutor in Dallas's Child Abuse Division.
- Represented clients throughout North Texas in cases ranging from murder and aggravated sexual assault to driving while intoxicated.

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

Peggy Hoffman

Peggy is an adjunct professor at the Southern Methodist University School of Law. She was previously a solo practitioner in criminal defense, a felony prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York's District Attorney's Office, and a Dallas County Prosecutor.

- As a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 since 2014, she oversees criminal cases within the court's jurisdiction.
- Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Experienced as a felony prosecutor in Dallas's Child Abuse Division.
- Represented clients throughout North Texas in cases ranging from murder and aggravated sexual assault to driving while intoxicated.

Peggy is a judge for the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9 in Texas.

Peggy is currently a judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court No. 9. She was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 

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.

Texas District Judge, District 194, Democratic Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement