I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois before earning my Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
I have spent my entire career working exclusively in the criminal justice system. After graduation from law school, I clerked for the Maryland judiciary, before briefly working as a criminal defense attorney. I then started my career as a prosecutor, with 60 career jury trials as an attorney. In April 2025, I was sworn in as a judge and have presided over an additional 31 felony jury trials.
I am proud of the Indigent Defense Plan that we have in Tarrant County, but there is always work to be done to improve access to justice. Like many things in the criminal justice system, there is a one-size-fits-all solution, but giving people the opportunity to be heard goes a long way. So often people just want their day in court and sometimes I can directly assist with their concerns, sometimes I just listen, but giving someone the opportunity to speak can change their entire perspective.
Docket efficiency is essential in the criminal justice system when defendants deserve their day in court and victims and their families deserve closure. To effectively manage 800 settable cases at a given time, it is important to tailor the docketing schedule to the needs of a specific case. For complex cases, this often requires scheduling orders with clear expectations for each court appearance to guarantee that cases are progressing at an appropriate pace.
The best way I know how to maintain judicial impartiality is to make my judicial decisions in the daylight, during open court, on the record, with attorneys for both sides present. The public accountability and opportunity for appellate review is a constant reminder to make sound legal decisions based on the law and the evidence before the court. In raising campaign funds, I hope to earn the support of our local attorneys because they respect and appreciate my fidelity to the law and my oath.
Bail is often at the forefront of criminal justice system discussions because of the numerous interests at stake. The accused is innocent unless proven guilty but the community has an interest in maintaining its safety and security while the wheels of justice are turning. Our community is also calling for accountability of our elected officials in setting bail. I personally review all bond violations and bail review requests and take accountability for individuals under the court’s supervision.
Campaign Phone
8177151279
Occupation
Attorney
Normandale Community College AA
Winona State University BS Recreation/Tourism
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (bought by Texas A&M) JD graduated 3rd in my class.
16 years as a practicing attorney handling primarily criminal defense cases, but also family law, CPS, and Juvenile defense. I'm past president of the North East Tarrant County Bar Association, US Army Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and an Eagle Scout, installing discipline and Service. These experiences provide me with the legal knowledge, the life experience, and the steady judgment to serve as a fair, constitutional minded, and even temperament Judge.
Access to justice requires fair funding for indigent defense attorneys, investigators, and experts that all play a role in the constitutional right to effective counsel, while respecting taxpayer dollars. I also believe courthouses must stay open whenever a trial is in progress, including jury deliberations, to protect the constitutional right to a public trial.
I'd like to adopt a practice I've seen in Parker County: the court publishes a short list of cases nearing trial, so attorneys know which cases must be ready and in what priority. As cases plea or resolve, the court sends out an updated list to the attorneys. I'd also follow the local rules developed by the district court judges to keep practices consistent countywide. This transparency helps both sides focus on the cases that will go to trial, moving the docket more efficiently.
My decisions will be based solely on the law and facts before me, not on who supported my campaign. Impartiality means treating every party the same regardless of politics, profession, or financial support. That's a commitment I take seriously if elected.
I see two pressing issues, case backlog which was explored above, and how indigent defense funding is administered. In Tarrant County, Judges approve funds for attorney pay, investigators, and expert funding for defense attorneys on a case by case basis. Each Court has its own budget and they are not equal. I think Tarrant County should explore a managed assigned counsel plan taking defense strategy and case management decisions away from the neutral Judge. This might improve consistency.
