Occupation
Attorney
Campaign Phone
214-704-6400
I have been a practicing criminal attorney for over 20 years. I am Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I am a former Dallas County Public Defender with two years in the Mental Health division becoming familiar with community mental health resources. I have also served on the Dallas Community Police Oversight Board, and I have keep a docket of pro bono cases to impact voting rights (I was the criminal appellate attorney for Crystal Mason), as well as safe jail standards, protester and activist defense, and press freedom.
I will recuse myself, as is my ethical duty, from any matter that might create even the appearance of impropriety.
Keeping the business of the Court free from political pressure, however, is a very real concern in these times especially. Every day seems to bring a new attack on the independence of the judiciary to make lawful rulings regardless of whether they advance the interests of the administration. Fortunately, I have never been afraid to call out bad faith actors and powerful interests in the defense of the people. My record is clear and my values are unshakable.
Access to qualified attorneys is guaranteed in the criminal system, but access to justice is more than access to an attorney. It is also quite literally access to the courts. Cases must move efficiently so as not to delay or deny justice. And for incarcerated people, delay is an injustice that can cost people their jobs, apartments, family stability, and more. I will ensure that pre-trial detention is minimized, that reasonable bonds are set on time, and unreasonable delays are not tolerated.
Compounding a case backlog, administration issues that are forcing people to overstay their sentences in the overcrowded jail, and a desperate shortage of state mental health hospital beds, the courts are now facing an overzealous immigration enforcement effort that is spiriting away defendants, families, witnesses, and victims in the middle of pending cases, rendering truth-finding extremely difficult. I will use the full breadth of jurisdiction entrusted to me to make sure that the Court protects all parties to the best of its ability.
The criminal justice system should never be used to score political points or settle personal vendettas. It is too blunt an instrument and is too easily used by bad faith actors as a weapon with the force of the state. A good judge does not tolerate the weaponization of the courts by abusive interests, be they individuals, businesses, or government entities.
Occupation
Federal & State Criminal Attorney
Education
Paul M. Hebert Law Center - Louisiana State University (LSU)
Campaign Phone
832-335-1232
Hi, I am Jeneba Barrie and I humbly ask for your support for judge of the 282nd Court. Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, I immigrated to the United States at age eight. At 11, I witnessed my dad's murder. I graduated from the University of Houston & earned my law degree from LSU. I am a former prosecutor who tried dozens of jury cases, including murder, and handled thousands of criminal cases, including capital murder. I now serve as a federal and state defense attorney. As a former prosecutor, defense attorney, & crime survivor, I bring a balanced perspective to the bench & I'm ready to serve.
Campaign donations and politics will not influence how I handle any case before me. My rulings will be based solely on the law and the facts, free from outside influence or political pressure. I am running on a platform of restoring integrity, decorum, and justice, and I will uphold those principles both on and off the bench.
Access to justice improves when practical, financial, and systemic barriers are removed. I plan to use the court’s social media platforms to share clear, regularly updated information. I also support night and weekend court settings, in coordination with the county, so working individuals can resolve cases without risking their livelihoods. In addition, I will ensure adequate representation for indigent clients and access to trained licensed interpreters in the top 5 popular non-English languages. Furthermore, I will ensure that my staff is trained to handle people in marginalized communities.
My primary concerns are bonds, mental health and indigency. As judges we must follow the law and balance fairness with the information provided to us. When certain crimes are prevented from bond consideration, it ties our hands.
I will address the bond issue by ensuring that I get all the information before ruling to ensure that the community is safe and that the defendant is treated fairly. I will ensure that mental health evaluations are properly interpreted before pleas to ensure competency and adequately staff my court with attorneys that handle indigent clients to ensure equal access.
My legal philosophy is rooted in fidelity to the law, fairness, and respect for due process. I believe a judge’s role is to apply the law as written, consider the facts presented, and ensure every person who appears before the court is treated with dignity and impartiality. Consistency, transparency, and judicial restraint are essential to maintaining public trust. I also believe justice requires listening carefully, listening more than I speak, managing the courtroom with professionalism, and making decisions free from personal bias, political influence, or outside pressure.
