Education
Baylor University, BA Psychology & Minor Criminal Justice, summa cum laude 4.0, 2003. Texas Tech School of Law, Juris Doctorate, cum laude full academic scholarship, 2007. Texas Bar College member for exceptional continuing legal education.
Experience
Licensed by the Texas bar since 2007. Denton County Assistant District Attorney 2008-2015. Collin County Assistant District Attorney and Chief Felony Prosecutor 2016-2022. Solo practitioner and small business owner 2022-present.
Campaign Phone
940-390-5893
I support adding a third criminal docket day, on Wednesday, to more efficiently move criminal cases through the system. Currently, the largest backlog in the 401st is felony cases, with 1,542 criminal cases filed and only 863 criminal cases disposed in FY 2023. Adding a third docket day will hold parties accountable to provide discovery and plea offers sooner and more quickly move cases through the system. Additionally, I intend to closely analyze the trial dockets for all types of cases and add criminal, family, or civil trial weeks based on the number of trial cases pending.
I intend to read and analyze every pleading or motion in advance of parties’ settings in order to be prepared. This means not only being familiar with the issues at hand but also familiar with the applicable statutes and case-law prior to the parties coming before me. Additionally, I intend to continue expanding my legal education by taking Advanced Criminal, Family, and Civil Law CLE courses. Finally, prior to taking the bench I would not only speak with each judge but observe courtroom proceedings in order to better understand how each judge approaches efficiency and fairness.
Pro-se forms for civil and family lawsuits are not only helpful to the parties in need of them, but they also promote efficiency in the courtroom as it relates to prove-ups and discovery. I would create pro-se forms and make them readily available and easily accessible on the website for self-represented parties along with checklists of items necessary in prove-ups and other proceedings. For pro se criminal defendants, I would closely follow the law by asking questions to ensure their understanding of their rights and implement a signed waiver memorializing that understanding.
Education and awareness are very important to help destigmatize these issues and provide a forum for those suffering to seek help. Education is necessary for those involved in the justice system and the community as a whole. Identification of resources involves willingness to seek out and meet with treatment centers and providers in order to be aware of services offered and appropriate paths to treatment. Learning more about and connecting providers in the community is the first and best way to create meaningful relationships to promote healthy change.
A judge must be present on the bench and available for parties to efficiently resolve disputes. This means full workdays, being available to stay late when necessary to finish trials or hearings, and staying on top of a queue even on weekends and holidays. It means preparation outside of work hours so that parties feel that their time is respected and so that more cases can be heard during the workday. Occasionally, efficient docket management will also mean hearing 2 full trials in one week or even asking a visiting judge to hear cases that are set at the same time and need to be resolved.
Competitive fair pay for court appointments and ad litem cases continues to be a pressing issue in the district courts because many qualified attorneys have removed themselves from court appointment lists due to perception that their time is undervalued. Judges met with groups in FY 2023 and made initial changes to not only the amount of pay but also to the process for receiving payment. Continued productive open conversation with qualified attorneys and investigators will lead to the most effective and efficient use of county resources while also ensuring high-quality representation.
Education
Texas A&M University Class of '91 BS in Political Science Minor in Psychology; Oklahoma City University, Class of '95 JD
Experience
Petrazio Law Firm, Solo Practitioner for 28 years representing clients in Family Law, over 300 divorce clients, Civil Law (personal injury) and Criminal Law, over 2000 clients. Federal criminal defense for the last 20 years, over 100 clients.
Campaign Phone
972-965-1016
Docket control drives the efficient disposition of cases pending before the court. Additional resets would require approval by the judge or designated staff member. Civil cases would be calendared pursuant to the scheduling order. Continuances in civil cases would be addressed as needed if not agreed by all parties. My knowledge of delay tactics in both civil cases as well as criminal cases will assist in my ability to recognize and address efficiency and docket flow issues.
I would review the pleadings in each case prior to trial settings or contested hearing settings. Additionally, if there was a novel legal issue presented I would review current case law and statutes on the respective issue and would request that issue be briefed by the litigants.
I would thoroughly discuss the dangers and disadvantages of self representation with defendants in criminal cases as well as civil cases. There is an expectation in the law that self-represented persons are held to the same legal standards as attorneys. There is an inherent problem with this expectation as it is unreasonable and not feasible. However, persons are entitled to represent themselves but as the saying goes, "They have a fool for a client." I would have standby counsel appointed in criminal cases and would admonish self-represented persons in all cases.
Collin County has a mental health screening process that catches many of the mental health issues of inmates. I would make sure to require a mental health evaluation if the attorneys brought the issue to my attention or I recognized mental health symptoms in the courtroom. Issues of addiction and mental health history would be addressed prior to accepting any plea agreement. I could order a presentence report in an effort to identify other issues of mental health or addiction that would need to be taken into consideration prior to sentencing. Mental Health Court referrals would be utilized.
Docket management controls would be implemented to track inmates on the 401st docket as well as age of cases. Measures would be employed to ensure cases are being addressed by the lawyers in civil cases and the scheduling order is being followed. I criminal cases I would have a clearly set number of resets for cases prior to requiring a plea setting or trial setting.
Collin County has remained opened throughout the Covid pandemic and does not currently have the backlog other counties are experiencing. However, as Collin County continues to grow more courts will be required to accommodate that growth. Uniformity of district court rules and procedures may need to be addressed so that lawyers can clearly understand the scheduling requirements and time constraints placed on them as they navigate the District Courts.
