A study of Dallas County eviction cases found most tenants lose their cases, forcing them out of their homes and leaving a permanent mark on their record that makes it harder to find housing in the future.

The Child Poverty Action Lab observed nearly 1,300 eviction cases over a nearly six-month period, providing a picture of how eviction cases play out that is rarely seen because courts produce little public data.

The nonprofit found renters rarely have legal representation, though they fare significantly better when they have a lawyer. Their landlords are far more likely to have a lawyer. The study also shows evictions are adjudicated at a blistering pace, with judges taking about four minutes, on average, to rule.

KERA requested an interview with the justices of the peace who preside over the three courts that handled most of the observed cases. They were Judge Thomas Jones, Judge Adam Swartz and Judge Sara Martinez. None responded to the emailed request.

To continue reading the rest of the article, please click on the source link below:

https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-01-17/eviction-less-likely-for-dallas-county-tenants-who-get-a-lawyer-but-most-dont-have-one