The district courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount in controversy (the amount of money or damages involved) is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed exclusively in another trial court. While most district courts try both criminal and civil cases, in the more densely populated counties the courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters.
Campaign Phone
8174404680
Occupation
Judge
Juris Doctor, with honors, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Austin College, Sherman, Texas
As the incumbent judge, I have a unique understanding of Criminal District Court No. 4's cases and how to efficiently manage a criminal court's docket. I am Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed in multiple states, which provides with an advanced level of expertise and experience needed to run the court.
The felony courts have worked together to decrease the COVID backlog, meaning cases are getting to trial faster. Both victims and defendants are getting their day in court sooner. Still, more needs to be done to reduce caseloads in all the criminal courts to further reduce the time it takes to get cases to trial.
The 21 criminal courts are working together to reduce backlogs in all the courts. The judges of all 21 criminal courts are cross-assigned, which allows us to try cases for each other. We meet monthly to discuss ways of improving efficiencies in our systems. And we've eliminated procedural impediments by hiring additional staff to process routine matters in a more timely matter.
The attorneys who litigate cases in Criminal District Court No. 4 know that I will follow the rule of law, that I am a strict constructionist when it comes to statutory interpretation, and that I will rule without fear or favor. My decisions are never influenced by whether or not someone has donated to a campaign.
The most pressing issue in state courts trying criminal cases is the massive amount of digital media evidence (DME) involved in cases today. DME is expensive to store, is time consuming to review, and increases expenses to the justice system. The judiciary and the bar are working closely to develop new technologies that will aid attorneys in more efficiently evaluating DME.
University of Texas BA,
Baylor University Law School JD,
Former Felony Prosecutor 2008-2014,
Defense Attorney in private practice since 2014
I have experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney so I have a deeper understanding of the issues affecting criminal justice. Also, having run a business, I understand how inefficient and poorly run our Criminal Courts have become.
Transparency, everything is done in secret and that reduces faith in the system.
Showing up for work and actually working till the job gets done. Hiring an army of Magistrates to do the work of the Judges has reduced efficiencies and the effectiveness of the tools available to elected Judges.
Staying away from accepting money from people I pay directly. Essentially, Judges should not accept money from attorneys who do appointed work in their Courts. This has been a tradition in Tarrant County and it must stop.
Staying on top of probationers, especially those with mental health and substance abuse issues. That takes working a full day, being on the bench, and available to attorneys, law enforcement and the public.
