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Judge Dominique DeRoy sworn in after council pauses for legal concerns
Summary
After a citizen raised questions about whether a previous municipal judge had been properly sworn in, Prairie View council briefly moved to executive session and then administered the oath to Dominique DeRoy. Councilmembers said they will review potential legal exposure raised during public comment.
A public comment alleging that a prior municipal judge may not have been properly sworn in prompted the Prairie View City Council to briefly move into executive session before the swearing in of the new municipal judge, Dominique DeRoy.
David Allen spoke during public comment, warning the council that “every single decision in all the courts that she's held since May are subject to be voided” if a judge had not been sworn in by counsel. Council member James said he wanted an executive session to discuss potential legal liability after that comment. The council reconvened and proceeded with the oath ceremony for Dominique DeRoy; the official administering the oath led DeRoy through the statutory statement of duties and she signed the documents.
Judge DeRoy thanked the council and residents after the ceremony, saying, “I am very thankful to be back home” and that she is “ready to continue to serve.” Council members emphasized they would follow up on the concerns raised in public comment; special counsel indicated the matter had been discussed in private and that any legal questions will be addressed according to counsel's advice. The council scheduled no formal vote linked to the public comment that evening.
