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
817-330-4277
Occupation
Attorney
Sam Houston State University - B.A.
Oklahoma City University School of Law - JD
My background qualifies me to serve as Judge of the 231st District Court through more than 20 years of family law practice, courtroom advocacy, mediation, and service to children and families in Tarrant County.
I founded The Barrows Firm, P.C. in 2006 and have dedicated my legal career to family law, handling divorce, child custody, adoption, CPS matters, probate, mental health commitments, and complex, high-conflict cases.
Access to justice begins with ensuring that every person who comes before the court can understand the process, be heard, and receive a fair and impartial opportunity to present their case.
As a family law attorney with over 20 years of experience, I have seen firsthand how intimidating and confusing the legal system can be, particularly for families facing divorce, child custody disputes, CPS involvement, or other significant life challenges. I will give families their day in court.
Reducing the backlog requires strong judicial leadership, active docket management, and a commitment to moving cases forward while ensuring every party receives a fair opportunity to be heard.
As a judge, I would establish clear expectations for attorneys and litigants, monitor aging cases, and regularly review the docket to identify cases that have stalled. Cases should be set for meaningful hearings, mediation, or trial rather than allowing unnecessary continuances and delays to accumulate.
Judicial impartiality is fundamental to the integrity of the judiciary. Campaign contributions must never influence, or appear to influence, how a judge decides a case.
I recognize that an elected judge must participate in the political process and raise campaign funds, but there must be a clear separation between campaigning and being a judge presiding over cases.
The most pressing issues facing Tarrant County family courts are increasingly complex cases involving children, high-conflict custody disputes, CPS matters, domestic violence, mental health concerns, and substance abuse. As a family law litigator with 20 years of experience, I understand how these issues affect children and families long after a case is closed. As a judge, I would focus on best interests and safety of children while ensuring that every party is awarded due process.
Campaign Phone
8178872872
Occupation
Attorney
Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee.
Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee.
Juris Doctorate from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.
I am uniquely qualified to serve in this position: the judicial position I seek is exclusively family law which I have practiced since 2012; I have advanced degrees, my master’s degree being in child development (family courts hear cases relating to children); I am often appointed to represent children in litigation; I have the right temperament to carry out judicial duties; I am a mother; and I have been selected by my peers to serve on several Board of Directors relating to family law.
Under the law, the courthouse has an open door to all. It is the responsibility of the judicial branch of government to ensure that door stays open to all. This begins with respectful judges who show up to work, who know the law, and who understand how to apply the law to the facts presented without bias. When a judge knows the law and acts impartially it is reflected in effective case management, which allows for access to justice.
Focus upon and remedy any backlogged cases that exist utilizing priority settings, active case management, clear communication, and removing unnecessary delays. Following that, to efficiently and timely allow for case disposition that results in justice for all involved. After all, the objective is timely justice for all parties in every case. This begins by showing up to the courthouse, on time, every day, ready to work for the citizens of Tarrant County.
The approach is easy. Adhere to the oath of office for, in doing so, you are automatically providing due process of law. Further, adhere to the safeguards set forth by the Texas Ethics Commission to preserve public confidence in the fairness and integrity of the judiciary. Lastly, who or how much a person might contribute to a campaign has no impact on my adherence to the oath of office because I believe in that oath and could not reconcile that with my conscience if i acted otherwise.
An issue confronting the courts is the maintenance of judicial independence from the other two branches of government. The lifeblood of our constitutional system is the doctrine of separation of powers which means that each governmental branch has a proper function in our society and no branch should tread into the functions of any other branch. This means that judges should remember their role in the judicial branch and support that role for the benefit of the public.
