A limited supervisory function is provided for in that rare instance where proceedings may be enjoined by another court acting through proper appellate procedure. } .race_footer { @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { } A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020. Dallas County Justice Court Records. width: 100%; Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire? } } It helps in a figuring-out-how-to-navigate-red-tape-and-still-get-things-accomplished standpoint. The judicial power of the State of Texas is vested in the various courts established by the Constitution of the State of Texas written in 1876, as amended. margin: 0px 10px; Filter cases further by date of filing, case type, party type, party representation, and more. The county judge is elected at large, and the other members of the commissioners court are elected by district. Maybe its to recharge our batteries, or maybe it is to help us find ways to cope and deal with whatever life throws our way.
} overflow-y: hidden; overflow-x: scroll; $('.hideResponses').on('click', () => { There were no incumbents in this race. } Serve as a coroner in counties without a medical examiner, Deal with matters concerning foreclosure of mortgages. Thus, the lower courts are paramount in the attitudinal perception which our citizens develop of our entire court system. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { Sometimes, the greatest thing about literature is its ability to transport us somewhere outside of us, in our own heads, to make us care and share the journeys of the individuals and people that take us away from ourselves for a minute. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? .widget-row.Republican { display: inline-block; A justice of the peace may issue search or arrest warrants, and may serve as the coroner in counties where there is no provision for a medical examiner. } $('.hideResponses').show(); There were no incumbents in this race. background-color: #fdd007; Please, Municipal elections in Dallas County, Texas (2022). Whose example would you like to follow, and why? } } Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 - Place 1 Grand Prairie Courthouse 106 W Church Street, #205, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. font-weight: bold; Moreover, in those situations where a justice is disqualified, sick or absent from his precinct, the parties to the suit may agree upon some person to try the case; but, if they fail to agree, the county judge, upon application, shall appoint some qualified person to try the case. 111 E. Locust St. } The filing deadline for this election was December 9, 2019. Individuals who are age 65 or older and individuals with serious underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, asthma, and those whose immune systems are compromised such as by chemotherapy or other conditions requiring such therapy are considered to be vulnerable populations and may contact the Court to identify themselves as such to receive accommodations. Cancellation and Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and No rating system could ever fully encapsulate and reflect a given judge's ability (a component of which is potential). You are urged to review the applicable laws and to consult an attorney of your choice for further information or answers to specific legal questions. Furthermore, provision is made that in the event a justice is disabled, the county judge may appoint a qualified person to serve during the period of disability. I called it "Jon Stewart & The Daily Show: A Rhetorical Analysis About Their Rhetorical Analysis." -Served on legislative advisory & drafting team for State Senator regarding reduction of cannabis concentrate penalties from felony to misdemeanor & expungement availability for non-violent convictions (passed by both the Texas House & Senate in 2021; stalled by Lt. Gov. top: -1px; text-align: left; div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; Communications: Alison Graves Carley Allensworth Abigail Campbell Sarah Groat Erica Shumaker Caitlin Vanden Boom border-bottom: 1px solid grey; clearInterval(nTimer); } The filing deadline for this election was December 13, 2021. background-color: red; font-weight: 300; What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Inventory of records of Gaines County. text-align: center; .race_header.green { Justice of the peace courts have original jurisdiction in criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only. While I don't know as much about either Earl Warren or Louis D. Brandeis as I do about the Justices alive in my time, they always stood out to me like lanterns in the window. } font-size: 16px; .results_text { } He was dangerous not just because of his brilliance, his arithmetic, his courage, his fellow justice William O. Douglas later wrote. margin: auto; These courts also have jurisdiction over minor civil matters. How do I obtain a certified copy of a document? padding-bottom: 3px; background-color: #003388; $('#candidate-connection-email-102591').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-email'); }); .partytd.Democratic { Adam has spent nearly a decade in Justice, County, & Municipal Courts across Texas, carving a niche as a consumer protection attorney (civil litigation, debt cases, LL/tenant disputes, & traffic ticket defense. .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} } For the Justice Courts, the issues are improving efficiency and access to justice. Earl Warren -
IF YOU ARE EXHIBITING ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING FEVER, COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING, CHILLS, REPEATED SHAKING WITH CHILLS, MUSCLE PAIN, HEADACHE, SORE THROAT, LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL, OR DIARRHEA -- OR IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 -- YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE COURT BEFORE APPEARING. When visiting downtown San Antonio for Bexar County offices we recommend the Bexar County Parking Garage. background-color: #dac113; As a general policy, courts encourage the resolution of matters by means of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). A debt claim case is a lawsuit brought to recover a debt by an assignee of a claim, a debt collector or collection agency, a financial institution, or a person or entity primarily engaged in the business of lending money at interest. $(".expand-all").on('click', () => { padding-bottom: 8px; In sparsely populated areas of the State, several counties may be served by a single district court, while an urban county may be served by many district courts. text-align: center; I wrote my undergrad senior thesis about the paradigm shift occurring in the early 2000s where Jon Stewart and the Daily Show became the most trusted names in news, and the juxtaposition of comedian commentators in news media. } display: block; .inner_percentage.CrossFiled { width: 57%; } .bptable.gray th { background:#4c4c4c;color:#fff; }, Dallas County is served by five constables. [1], .votebox { These courts do not have jurisdiction in most civil cases but do have limited civil jurisdiction in cases which involve owners of dangerous dogs. Small claims are cases filed in the county justice of the peace courts (also referred to simply as "justice courts") in Texas. }, 100); background-color: #db0000; Filter cases further by date of filing, jurisdiction, case type, party type, party representation, and more. When elected, each justice is commissioned as justice of the peace of his precinct and ex officio notary public of his county. Despite being commissioned for particular precincts, the justices in a county may exchange benches, or a justice may hold court for any other justice whose precinct is in the same county. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state? 2023. font-size: 1.25em; Dallas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In the event there is a vacancy in the office, or the justice is unable or unwilling to perform, the nearest justice in the county may temporarily perform the duties of the office. Swartz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Visit the Jury Services webpage for more information. line-height: 1.5em; Evictions Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Part V Rules of Practice in Justice Court. padding-left: 10px !important; height: 50px; The Texas Constitution requires that each county in the State establish between one and eight justice of the peace precincts, depending upon the population of the county. The trial court structure in Texas has several different levels, each level handling different types of cases, with some overlap. The Texas Constitution provides for a county court in each of the 254 counties of the state, though all such courts do not exercise judicial functions. display: table; } Literature is a blessing, and Wheel of Time I'll never tire of re-reading. font-weight: bold; .race_header, .results_text, .results_table_container, .votebox_legend { word-wrap: break-word; Justice of the Peace and Justice Courts Home Thomas G. Jones, JP 1-1 Valencia Nash, JP 1-2 Margaret O'Brien, JP 2-1 Katina Whitfield, JP 2-2 Adam M. Swartz, JP 3-1 Steve Seider, JP 3-2 Mike Jones Jr., JP 4-1 Sasha Moreno, JP 4-2 Sara Martinez, JP 5-1 Juan Jasso, JP 5-2 JP Court Fines & Fees Justice of the Peace and Justice Courts padding-bottom: 5px; Search online court records for free in Dallas County Justice Of The Peace Precinct 2-1 Court by case number, case name, party, attorney, judge, docket entry, and more. The Justice of the Peace Court in Texas performs magisterial duties such as accepting criminal complaints, ordering arrests, issuing search warrants, conducting examining trials and appointing legal counsel. By continuing to use this website, you agree to UniCourts General Disclaimer, Terms of Service, margin-bottom: 0px; Under Section 31.02 of the Texas Tax Code, taxes are issued on OCTOBER 1st of each year and are due upon receipt of the tax bill and become delinquent if not paid before FEBRUARY 1st of the year following the year in which imposed and subject to penalty and interest. Dallas County deserves an updated Justice Court, designed for the 21st century. 2100, Dallas, Texas 75232, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Part V Rules of Practice in Justice Court, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 15, https://www.txcourts.gov/court-coronavirus-information/, Programa de alivio de alquiler de Texas (TRRP) Espaol. Please Note: This information is provided by TXCourts.gov. Because the Constitution limits each county to a single county court, the Legislature has created statutory county courts at law inmore populouscounties to aid the single county court in its judicial functions. .inner_percentage.Green { One of the courts established by the 1876 Constitution is the Justice of the Peace Court. Statutory probate courts are located in 10of the state's 15 largest metropolitan areas and have original and exclusive jurisdiction over their counties' probate matters, guardianship cases, and mental health commitments. vertical-align: middle; U.S. Congress | .non_result_row div { The office of Justice of the Peace is credited with completing the centralization of government in England. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; What's on my ballot? The larger cities are served by multiple courts, the number depending upon the population of the city and the needs of the public. .outer_percentage { 211 South Flores StreetSan Antonio, TX 78207Phone: 210-335-2700View Map and Get Directions. } Justice courts provide a more informal setting than the district or county courts, so parties will often represent themselves rather than hiring an attorney. Same year: Field of Dreams & Batman came out. A primary was scheduled for March 1, 2022. } UniCourt also allows you to lookup court cases and find latest docket information for all courthouses in Dallas County Justice Courts, Texas. .partytd.Gray { Describes the records of the County Clerk as Secretary for Commissioners Court, County Clerk as Recorder, County Clerk as Reporter for County Court, District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, Justice of the Peace, Sheriff, County Judge, County Treasurer, and County Auditor. color: black; Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Place 1, .infobox { clear: both; Fines of up to $4,000 may be charged for dumping of refuse. Public Records Policy. text-align: center; [6], The table below provides information on each of the justices:[5], Dallas County residents also elect the following public officials:[5], Dallas County residents elect trustees for the Dallas County Community College. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. div.oneoff-scrollbox.short { height:250px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } .votebox_legend { background-color: grey; float: left; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; The Harris County Justices of the Peace and the Clerks of the Harris County Justice Courts are not allowed to give legal advice. if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { $(".collapse-all").on('click', () => { } Justice of the Peace 5-1 East Dallas Government Center - 3443 St. Francis Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75228 (214) 943-6980 Main (214) 943-2871 Fax Hours of Operation: 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Se Habla Espaol Office E-mail: JP51Court@dallascounty.org Department E-mails: .votebox-results-metadata { Cities | width: 90%; The Court may allow or require anyone involved in any proceeding to participate remotely, such as by teleconferencing or videoconferencing. UniCourt uses cookies to improve your online experience, for more information please see our Privacy Policy. A Few Good Men - Aaron Sorkin. Im running for Justice of the Peace because I know I have what it takes to be a modern leader in a modern Court. The office of Justice of the Peace is an integral part of the Anglo-American system of jurisprudence. .widget-key { The legal effect of a statute should be determined by the objective purpose of the statute. font-size: .9em; Dallas County Justice Courts, Texas Search online court records for free in Dallas County Justice Of The Peace Precinct 2-1 Court by case number, case name, party, attorney, judge, docket entry, and more. Dallas County Justice Of The Peace Precinct 5-1, 3443 ST FRANCIS AVENUE, DALLAS, TX 75228, USA. 8301 S. Polk St. Ste. height: 22px; State executives | p.survey-response {white-space: pre-line;} It is the second-most populous county in Texas and the ninth-most populous in the United States. The geographical area served by each court is established by the Legislature, but each county must be served by at least one district court. })(); See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection. font-weight: 100; applying technology that enables everyone access to our justice system. width: 100% .results_row td:first-child { UniCourt uses cookies to improve your online experience, for more information please see our Privacy Policy. The justice of the peace is the legal jurisdiction closest to the average citizen. The Justice of the Peace quickly became a person of recognized standing in the community. In the more populous counties, the county judge may devote his or her full attention to the administration of county government. I have used that compass & the skill sets Ive sharpened to build, better, or reform every institution/organization Ive had the pleasure to be a part of. .votebox_bp_logo { 10,000 cases per year, from small claims to landlord/tenant disputes, to traffic tickets. Adam Swartz defeated Gregg Shalan in the general election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Place 1 on November 8, 2022. Begins with an explanation of the roles of various county government offices. } Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. (function() { } District courts have original jurisdiction in felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. Justice courts are not subject to general supervision by any other court. Dallas County Clerk also provides two separate portals for searching for criminal case records. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Swartz's responses. In Dallas County, there are five commissioners who are elected to four-year terms. } background-color: green; There are four (4) types of civil cases that can be filed in Justice Court: Evictions, Small Claims, Debt Claims, and Repair and Remedy. The fee for a certified copy of a document is $5.00 for the certification and a $1.00 per page of the document. .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h5.votebox-header-election-type { letter-spacing: .04em; Swartz (Democratic Party) ran for election for the Precinct 3-1 judge of the Dallas County Justice of the Peace in Texas.He won in the general election on November 8, 2022. With UniCourt, you can access cases online in Dallas County Justice Of The Peace Precinct 5-1, view case summary, check case status, download court documents, as well as track cases and get alerts on new case updates and access Dallas County Justice Courts - Dallas County Justice Of The Peace Precinct 5-1 cases with Enterprise APIs. I grew up here; I raise my daughter & coach DISD school teams here; I volunteer & I practice law here. Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of? max-height: 580px; Secure Access for Attorneys Online Searches County Clerk > Civil Courts > Online Searches Case records and calendars for all County Courts at Law, Probate Courts, and Justice of the Peace Courts are searchable by going to the following page: https://odyssey.tarrantcounty.com/publicaccess/ This page was last modified on September 06, 2019 As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,368,139. } padding-left: 10px; Most JP's perform marriage ceremonies as well. margin-bottom: .75em; $('.hideResponses').hide(); Your Justice Court Judge also serves as an Administrative Hearing Judge. } Give leeway within the law where it can be given, if appropriate;
.race_header.libertarian { } This shouldn't even have to be a question, though there is good reason that it is. font-size: 0.9em; font-size: 2em; Dallas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. left: 0; Adam Swartz was born in Dallas, Texas. width: 35px !important; font-weight: bold; His work and persuasive speech to the Congressional House Judiciary Committee on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund was both beautifully crafted and emblematic of the type of courage it takes to stand and deliver for people you believe into fight for them because they fought for youto recognize that there is more than one way to fight for your country, and more than one way to pay back the people that do. The county government of Dallas County is located in Dallas, Texas. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Judicial Committee on Information Technology, Task Force on Judicial Emergency Preparedness, Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services, Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission, Guardianship Abuse, Fraud and Exploitation Deterrence Program (GAFEDP), Pretrial Risk Assessment Information System for Texas, Texas Records and Information Locator (TRAIL). As King John of England agreed in the Magna Carta of 1215, We will appoint as Justices, Constables, Sheriffs or Bailiffs, only such as know the law of the realm and mean to observe it well. In 1360, King Edward III provided for the appointment of one lord, and with him three or four of the most worthy in the county, with some learned in law. These men were charged with the responsibility for keeping the peace and trying felonies and trespasses on behalf of the King. The statute, by King Edward III, required two or more of these officials to act together, and soon they became known as justices, the title Justice of the Peace being conferred by the 1362 statute 34 Edw. Most JP's perform marriage ceremonies as well. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? } ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } This page was last updated during the official's most recent election or appointment. -Authored and secured the addition of a full Consumer Protection plank to the Democratic Party Platform (which did not previously exist). Contact Us | Help | Privacy Policy | ADA Statement. a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } For questions related to District Courts Case Information, please contact DC-Inquiry@dallascounty.org. width: 43%; 2100, Dallas, Texas 75232. A repair and remedy case is a lawsuit filed by a residential tenant under Chapter 92, Subchapter B of the Texas Property Code to enforce the landlord's duty to repair or remedy a condition materially affecting the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant. } .external_links_table { width: auto !important; } Before joining the Supreme Court, Warren was a consummate politician: a longtime governor of California who proved so popular in his first term that he won the nominations of both the Republican and Democratic parties when he ran for re-election. top: -5px; All civil cases filed in JP Courts now fall under Justice Court. } Adam Swartz (Democratic Party) is a judge for Precinct 3-1 of the Dallas County Justice of the Peace in Texas. Justice of the peace courts have original jurisdiction in criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only. Instead, Warren took the Court boldly into the 20th century with transformative liberal rulings in areas ranging from desegregation to free speech to criminal procedure. .clearfix { .results_table_container { margin-top: 1em; Call or Email for an Appointment jp21court@dallascounty.org (214) 643-4773 weddings Pay a Traffic Violation Online payments for tickets in DALLAS COUNTY justice of the peace Click Here SELF REPRESENTED LITIGANTS CLICK HERE for Helpful Information Downloadable Resources How To Sue In Justice Court (pdf) Download Tenant Rights Handbook (pdf) Download Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Case Information Criminal Background Search For questions related to County Courts Case Information, please contact CC-Inquiry@dallascounty.org. position: relative; I was raised with the tradition that we heal the world a little bit one good deed at a time, & no good deed is ever too small. .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper { Brazoria County Courthouse
letter-spacing: 0.03em; .partytd.Republican { The district courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. } background-color: #ccc; Today, there are approximately nine hundred and fifty Justice of the Peace Courts in the State of Texas. } I had been reading this series since I was 16 and Brian found a way to make that pay off for every storyline, every character I came to care about. display: block; .widget-row { .votebox-covid-disclaimer { How would you describe your legal philosophy? background-color: white; } Due to a change in the statue, participating jurisdictions may elect to turn over their delinquent business property taxes to their delinquent tax attorneys for collection on April 1st of the year the taxes became delinquent, and are also subject to an additional collection penalty of 15 or 20% of the taxes, penalties and interest due. $('.showResponses').on('click', () => { margin-right: 12px; width: 100%; Ballotpedia features 408,486 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Dallas County. left: 0px; These courts also have jurisdiction over small claims matters. font-size: 12px; Sec. By bringing common people into contact with the noblemen, the office soon became a strong, important, judicial institution. Justice of the Peace 1-1. What is the eligibility for registering to vote? color: white; State and local courts | The rules of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Part V, Rule 500 through 510 govern these cases. , See also:Municipal elections in Dallas County, Texas (2022). Source. Approved Re-Certification Request for Court Operating Plan, (Emphasis on Additional Requirements for In-Person Proceedings). A small claims case is a lawsuit brought for the recovery of money damages, civil penalties, personal property, or other relief allowed by law. I have used that compass & the skill sets Ive sharpened to build, better, or reform every institution and organization Ive had the pleasure to be a part of. font-size: 1.2em; No shame (or shaming) in the People's Court. While not required, non-attorney filers are encouraged to file as well. The Constitution of the Republic, written in 1836, specified that a convenient number of Justices of the Peace were to be elected in each county by the qualified voters for a term of two years. Policy: Christopher Nelson Caitlin Styrsky Molly Byrne Jimmy McAllister Samuel Postell color: #6db24f; } Dwight Eisenhower appointed him chief justice in 1953. Dallas County, Texas, held general elections for county commissioners, sheriff, county court at law, county attorney, tax assessor-collector, justice of the peace, constable on November 3, 2020. Government of Dallas County, Texas - Google News. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you. We need new leaders on our judicial benches who are making sure we dont get left behindCreating mobile-friendly websites, an Online Resource Warehouse, and electronic court filings & searchability for our local JP courts is long overdue. One is a salted. All other past due taxes are surrendered for collection on July 1st of the year the taxes became delinquent and are also subject to the additional 15 or 20% collection fee. .panel-heading:hover { cursor: pointer;} }) The Warren Court issued many landmark decisions & Warren wrote the majority opinion in some of the most famous cases: Brown v. Board of Education (1954) banned segregation in public schools; Miranda v. Arizona (1966) required that criminal defendants be informed of their rights to remain silent and to be represented by a lawyer; Loving v. Virginia (1967) struck down prohibitions on interracial marriage. color: white; A Time to Kill - John Grisham
If you use assistive technology (such as a Braille reader, a screen reader, or TTY) and the format of any material on this Web site interferes with your ability to access information, please. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper .image-candidate-thumbnail { .votebox_legend .non_result_row { Its county seat is Dallas, which is also the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest city in the United States. Filter cases further by date of filing, case type, party type, party representation, and more. Adam Swartz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The results have been certified. }) (a) Any medical examiner, or his duly authorized deputy, shall be authorized, and it shall be his duty, to hold inquests with or without a jury within his county, in the following cases: 1. Restoring a belief in the independence of the Judiciary, reaffirming citizen's belief in good government being possible, and increasing civic participation in our local communities. 8301 S. Polk St. Ste. z-index:1; If you do not agree with these terms, then do not use our website and/or services. border: 1px solid #999; Justice of the peace courts have original jurisdiction in Class C misdemeanor criminal cases, which are less serious minor offenses. How to vote | } If you do not agree with these terms, then do not use our website and/or services. } p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;} The Justice of the Peace Courts are currently operating pursuant to Texas Supreme Court orders, Office of Court Administration Guidelines and the Bexar County Covid-19 Operating Plan. level;
background-color: #f4f4f4; .widget-row.Democratic { Swartz has been affiliated with the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, IMPRINT TheatreWorks, Awwdoptable Inc, Destination Imagination, the North Texas Jewish Democratic Council, Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, and the Texas Civil Rights Project. 2023. Self-Help Legal Information Packets are provided for the benefit of justice courts and individuals seeking access to justice through the court system. Contact Us | Help | Privacy Policy | ADA Statement. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? If you are unsure of what precinct you reside in, visit the Bexar County Community Dashboard Map to view your precinct and your elected officials.