Occupation
Attorney/Judge
Undergraduate, UTA- B.S. Political Science, 1988
Juris Doctor, Baylor University Law School, 1991
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office, 1992-2000
Clark Law Firm, Managing Partner, 2000-2022
Judge, Tarrant County Criminal Court #5, 2023-Present
I have served in every legal capacity in the courtroom and handled thousands of Domestic Violence cases in my 35-year career as a judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney.
I have vast experience working with individuals with significant mental health issues, which is a major contributing factor in these cases. I continue to serve on the Tarrant Reentry Coalition and understand the struggle of reintegrating into the community. I'm committed to continuing to make a positive impact in others' lives
This question seems more suited to a civil court. This is a criminal court. The Court is designated to give preference to domestic violence cases. I don't see many people who want to be there. Folks are usually happy to get out of there as quickly as possible. There are exceptions, though, but it's too involved to cover in this limited space. I will add that, with regard to competent representation, I believe Tarrant County has one of the top Indigency Defense Plans (IDP) in the State.
We do not have a backlog now. Since I took the bench 4 years ago, case dispositions have well exceeded 100% every year. We achieve this through well-defined docketing parameters and expectations for litigants and attorneys (State & Defense).
I chose to primarily self-fund my reelection campaign, as I did for my first election. My campaign website has a way to contribute, but I haven't publicly solicited contributions and have received fewer than half a dozen unsolicited contributions.
Offenses committed because of mental health issues are the most pressing. The legislature must commit to providing financial support to mental health agencies that serve our mental health population. Jail overcrowding and the inability to hire qualified personnel to work in that environment are problems that continue to burden the criminal justice system.
I am available by email for any other questions related to the Court or my candidacy.
Campaign Phone
817-723-5373
Occupation
Criminal Attorney
B.S. Criminal Justice
Texas Woman's University
Juris Doctor
Texas A&M University School of Law
27 years of experience as a State & Federal criminal defense attorney.
Prior to law school I was a police officer in Tarrant and Dallas counties.
More efficient handling of case log in courts.
Judges who actually work 8 hours a day and are available to defense counsel, prosecutors, and police officers.
Again, Judges who actually work for the tax dollars that they are paid. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week...in their offices or on the bench.
I have had a couple of attorneys donate to my campaign, but they are out of Tarrant County.
Money will never blind me to equal justice under the law regardless of the donation.
I want everyone who walks into my court to be treated equally and to actually see that in progress. The first thing I will do is to remove the "In God we Trust" sign off the wall. Separation of Church and State is the rule...whether you enter my court a Buddhist, a Muslim, or a Southern Baptist...you will be treated the same, with respect.
