The Duncanville City Marshal's Office plays an essential role in the Duncanville Municipal Judicial Court system, ensuring the safety and efficient operation of municipal services. Staffed by highly skilled and certified peace officers, the Office is responsible for a wide range of duties, including warrant executions, prisoner transport within Duncanville and across the North Texas Region, civil process service, and maintaining security during court proceedings. The Marshals also oversee the security of city buildings and facilities, manage the city's panic alarm system, and monitor the city's camera surveillance system, creating a secure environment for municipal employees and residents.
As certified peace officers under the authority of the State of Texas, Duncanville Marshals hold the same law enforcement powers as other peace officers across the state. This authority enables them to enforce laws, make arrests, and perform their duties to maintain public safety and order within the community.
Jurisdiction and Duties of the Duncanville Municipal Court
The Duncanville Municipal Court has jurisdiction over offenses committed within the city limits, including violations of municipal ordinances and state statutes. The Court processes cases involving the Texas Penal Code, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Texas Health Code, and Texas Safety Code. Most violations processed by the Court are punishable by fines only, and these cases are handled exclusively within the Municipal Court system.
History of the City Marshal's Office
The Duncanville City Marshal's Office has a rich history that mirrors the growth and development of the city itself. Initially created to support the operations of the Municipal Court, the early role of the City Marshal was to ensure that court proceedings were safe and orderly. The Marshals also assisted with executing court orders and serving civil processes.
As Duncanville expanded, so did the responsibilities of the City Marshal’s Office. Over time, the office's duties grew to include warrant executions, law enforcement support, and a broader role in community safety. Today, the Duncanville City Marshal’s Office continues to adapt to meet emerging public safety needs and maintains a critical role in supporting public order and community well-being.
Distinction Between City Marshals, Sheriffs, Constables, and Police Officers
While each of these law enforcement roles shares the goal of public safety, they serve different functions:
- City Marshal: A City Marshal’s duties are focused within a specific city. Marshals are appointed to enforce city ordinances, assist in municipal courts, and maintain security in city buildings. They are state-certified peace officers with the same authority as any other peace officer in Texas.
- Sheriff: A Sheriff is an elected official who serves as the chief law enforcement officer of a county. Sheriffs oversee law enforcement duties in unincorporated areas of the county, manage county jails, and provide security for county courts. They have broader jurisdiction than city law enforcement officers and are often involved in countywide criminal investigations.
- Constable: Constables are elected officials who serve specific precincts within a county. They are primarily responsible for serving legal documents (subpoenas, warrants, etc.) and assisting in maintaining peace within their precinct. Their focus tends to be more on civil processes and courtroom duties, although they have law enforcement authority.
- Police Officer: Police Officers are employed by city or municipal police departments. Their responsibilities include enforcing state laws and city ordinances, investigating crimes, and ensuring public safety within the city limits.
The Oldest Law Enforcement Agency in Texas
The Texas Rangers hold the title of the oldest law enforcement agency in Texas. Established in 1835 during the early years of the Republic of Texas, the Rangers have a legendary history and remain an elite division of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Duncanville City Marshal's Office: A Recognized Law Enforcement Agency
The Duncanville City Marshal's Office is recognized as an independent law enforcement agency by the State of Texas. Marshals are certified peace officers through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), ensuring they meet rigorous state standards. In addition to their initial certification, Duncanville Marshals undergo continuous and advanced law enforcement training throughout the year to maintain their skills and knowledge. This ongoing training helps them stay prepared to meet the evolving needs of the community and uphold public safety with professionalism.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the first City Marshal in Texas was appointed in 1836? This early role was crucial in supporting local law enforcement efforts and ensuring the security of city functions, marking the beginning of the City Marshal’s vital role in Texas law enforcement history.
Current City Marshal
The current City Marshal for the Duncanville City Marshal's Office is City Marshal Frederic Johnson. His leadership continues to guide the office in its critical role within the community, ensuring public safety and the efficient functioning of municipal services. Marshal Johnson is a firm believer in professionalism, integrity, transparency, ethics, and honor. He upholds that the office should possess effective leadership, a clear mission and values, an accountability system, community engagement, interagency collaboration, and legal and ethical knowledge.
Important Notices
- Jail Payments: Payments for individuals currently incarcerated cannot be processed through this site. Please contact the relevant jail facility directly for payment instructions.
- Driving Safety Course and Deferred Disposition: Requests for these programs cannot be made or paid for online. For eligibility information, please contact the Duncanville Municipal Court at (972) 780-5055.
- Warrant Payments: Warrant payments are accepted online Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Please keep your payment receipt for at least 72 hours, as there may be a delay in the recall of warrants.
- Assault Family Violence: Offenses involving Assault Family Violence must be handled in person at the Court. Payments for such violations are not accepted online.
Important Information Regarding Online Payments:
By making an online payment for a violation, if no plea has been entered, you are entering a plea of no contest to the violation. By doing so, you waive your right to a jury trial, and a judgment of guilt will be entered against you. Certain convictions may be reported to the Department of Public Safety and could potentially affect your driving record.
For Assistance:
The Duncanville Municipal Court encourages all individuals to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of online payments. If you have any questions or need additional clarification, please contact the Court for assistance.