As a former public school teacher and attorney experienced in both civil and criminal law, I bring compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to fair, accessible justice for all.
The Commissioners Court should require quarterly coordination meetings with emergency managers and officials from all neighboring counties. Clear emergency response plans, shared resources, and consistent distribution of accurate, accessible emergency information will ensure faster, coordinated responses that protect lives and property.
I would administer bail by faithfully following the law, assessing each case individually, and balancing community safety with constitutional rights. Bond conditions should be no more restrictive than necessary, focused on court appearance and safety, and mindful that people are presumed innocent and should not be punished pretrial, while using clear findings and transparency in every case.
I have consistently balanced heavy, competing responsibilities in my prior roles as a teacher and attorney. I developed clear systems and processes to prioritize urgent matters, manage deadlines, and delegate when appropriate. Those habits ensure efficiency, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making under pressure.
I will ensure equal access to justice by providing clear, plain-language information about community resources to everyone who enters my courtroom. Regardless of case type or background, all litigants will receive the same guidance on legal aid, services, and options.
I would ensure clear, plain-language information is available in court and online, explaining rights, timelines, and resources. While the law must be followed, landlords often know the process while tenants face it for the first time. Providing guidance helps ensure fairness and protects the stability and security that housing provides.
I've served as JP for the past 11 years, resolving more cases than any JP Court in Travis County. We created the first paperless JP Court in Texas, and started the first juvenile diversion program.
The Commissioners Court has worked closely with the five Justice Courts to ensure our offices have the resources to serve the community in difficult times. During the Covid pandemic, the commissioners worked diligently with the courts to limit delays while also protecting the community. The increased communication in times of disaster limits mistakes, and helps to keep services operational.
Having been a lawyer for almost 20 years, I have handled all levels of cases from traffic tickets to serious felonies. Every case is different. It is incredibly important to consider the safety of the community and an individual's rights in assessing fair bond conditions. The inability to afford bail should never be the sole reason a person remains in custody while their case is pending.
JP 2 is the busiest Justice Court in central Texas. After taking office in 2015, I reviewed every process and procedure to ensure that all laws were being followed, then looked for areas to improve. We implemented new technologies, removed almost all paper from our court processes, and found ways to shorten wait times through the use of virtual and in-person dockets, increasing access to justice.
I ran for this office because of a disparity in access to justice. For 11 years, I've hired a team of individuals from different backgrounds who truly reflect the diverse community we have within Precinct 2. We have created virtual courts to help individuals who may lack reliable transportation, and we've greatly reduced hearing wait times because justice delayed can be justice denied.
Ensuring that all parties understand their rights is incredibly important. At JP 2, we provide all of our resources, procedures and information on our website. Our civil team is always available to assist in eviction matters on the phone. In the courtroom, I personally explain the process, financial resources available and all timelines and appeal procedures with every landlord and tenant I meet.
