DALLAS COUNTY, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott appointed former Dallas County Republican Commissioner Justin “J.J.” Koch to the Criminal District Court No. 2 in Dallas County Wednesday.
Abbott said Koch’s term will be set to end on Dec. 31, 2024, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified for the role.
Koch had been the Dallas County Commissioner for Precinct 2 since 2018. He was defeated by Democratic candidate Andrew Sommerman in the Nov. 8 election for the seat.
WFAA spoke to Koch a couple of months before the election, in September 2022, on the issue plaguing the Dallas County jail system: overcrowding.
The Republican commissioner said there were many to blame for the problem and called out criminal district judges who oversee felony cases.
“They’re not disposing of enough cases. One of the big things is they have to hold trials,” Koch told WFAA during the interview. “And typically, when you get closer to trial, usually plea deals in those more difficult cases where there’s certain contentious issues can get resolved. Because we have not been holding trials, no one has had their feet held to the fire in the camp of the prosecutors or the defendants.”
Judges have argued that COVID pandemic-related closure and transmission concerns inside courtrooms led to the backlog.
Throughout the pandemic, Koch was known to disagree with some closures and the enforcement of masks inside businesses and the courts.
In August 2021, Koch was booted out of a commissioner’s court meeting after refusing to wear a face mask after Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins advised the courtroom that he required face masks inside.
At that time, Koch told WFAA he wasn’t against wearing face masks, but said Jenkins was violating Abbott’s latest order and threatened to sue Jenkins.
Yet, Abbott’s order said that individuals encouraged to wear face coverings when in areas of high transmission when social distancing isn't possible. Dallas County was considered a high transmission area, as were all North Texas counties in August 2021.
Over the course of Koch’s role as commissioner for District No. 2, he was appointed to the Civil Service Commission and the Behavioral Health Leadership Team.
Koch told WFAA that he believes the second largest mental health facility in the state of Texas is the Dallas County jail. And as the state enters into the January 2024 legislative session, Koch has said the leaders should focus on how they can help county jails and put the budget surplus to get use.
Previously, Koch was a prosecutor and private practice attorney.
Koch is currently an assistant coach for Scots Wrestling and has volunteered at Bishop Lynch High School wrestling and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
