District courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. They have original jurisdiction in felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. The courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters. Four-year term.
An effective court must be both fair and efficient. When a court resolves fewer cases than it receives, the backlog grows, and victims, defendants, attorneys, and taxpayers all pay the price.
The 248th District Court has had an 88% clearance rate over the past year, meaning it has not kept pace with the cases coming in. As judge, I will manage the docket carefully, promptly rule on matters, and require attorneys to be prepared.
I will work to move cases forward without unnecessary delay while protecting due process. And I will make sure everyone who comes before the court is treated fairly, respectfully, and professionally.
If I get a bail decision wrong, someone could get hurt. I don't take that lightly and that responsibility is what should guide every decision made on the bench.
My approach is simple: look at the actual person and the actual facts. A first-time offender with strong ties to the community usually calls for release conditions that don't wreck someone's life over an accusation they haven't been convicted of. If someone has shown a pattern of violence, missed court appearances, or their behavior is escalating, bail should be set accordingly, or denied outright when the law allows it.
Harris county voters don't need a formula from me; they just need a judge who is willing to actually pay attention.
I will work to resolve cases fairly, promptly, and without unnecessary expense by setting clear expectations, addressing issues early, and holding the parties accountable for being prepared. But speed and efficiency are only worthwhile if they take us where we need to go, a fair and just result. Moving a docket quickly should never come at the expense of due process or thoughtful decision making. I will use court time and resources wisely, avoid unnecessary delays and appearances, and treat everyone who comes before me with dignity and respect. My goal is simple: move cases forward with purpose, while never losing sight of the fact that getting it right matters more than getting it done quickly.
In setting bail, I will follow the Texas Constitution and the law while considering the individual circumstances of each case. Bail should never be punitive, but public safety cannot be ignored. For first time offenders, I will consider the charge, ties to the community, likelihood of appearing, and specific safety concerns. For repeat offenders, I will also consider criminal history, prior compliance with bond conditions, and demonstrated risk to the community. Above all, judges must remain impartial. Bail decisions should be based on the law and facts, not politics or media attention. Each decision must protect the presumption of innocence while ensuring public safety and the defendant’s appearance.
