Dallas municipal court building closed as ransomware recovery continues

Dallas’ municipal court building is closed this week as impacts from a ransomware attack 19 days ago have stopped hearings, trials and jury duty, and blocked the city from accepting nearly all forms of citation payments.

An online notice on the city’s court and detention services website Monday said the municipal court building at 2014 Main Street isn’t planned to reopen until May 30. People can mail in payments for citations or documents, but they won’t be processed until after the court’s system is restored.

The building remained open in the two weeks since the May 3 ransomware attack to provide general information on citations while the system was down. All hearings that were scheduled since May 3 will be rescheduled, and people haven’t been able to make payments in person, online or by phone.

The court hears cases for people accused of violations, including city ordinances, traffic infractions and class C misdemeanors. Warrants can be issued for people who don’t pay fines and fees collected by the court.