Ellis County relocates 378th District Court

Waxahachie – A ribbon cutting ceremony last week in Ellis County saw the 378th District Court of Texas relocated to the third floor in a new courtroom in the Ellis County’s Courts & Administration Building. 

Earlier this year, the county opened County Court at Law No. 3, which created a need for more space. Judge Joe Gallo was appointed to the new County Court at Law No. 3, but it was Judge William “Doug” Wallace of the 378th District Court who received the new courtroom. County Court at Law No. 3 took over the old courtroom.

It was last week the 378th’s relocation to the new courtroom was formally completed.

Neither Judge Gallo nor Judge Wallace commented, but County Judge Todd Little said, “We’re excited to get this new courtroom up and running, and I know Judge Wallace will put it to good use.”

Construction of a new courtroom could have cost up to $1.5 million, but the county was able to repurpose an existing storage area to open the new courtroom well under budget. Contractors installed comfortable furniture and the latest technology in the new courtroom, including high-definition screens for attorneys to present cases more clearly.

During the ceremony, Wallace of the 378th District Court demonstrated the new facility to county officials and their families. Wallace concluded the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new courtroom.

The 378th District Court is a state-level court that has original jurisdiction for felony cases within the county. The 378th normally handles civil and family litigation, while felony cases are normally handled by Judge Bob Carroll of the 40th District Court, also covering Ellis County.

Ellis County has six courtrooms – three county courts-at-law and three state district courts serving the county.