I have found that there are some questions that I am frequently asked during a campaign. I have listed those questions below along with the answers. If you have any more questions please contact me. If I can answer your question within the bounds of judicial ethics I will. You can also learn more about courts and the judiciary by checking out the Links of Interest page.

What kind of cases are heard in a district court?

Felony criminal charges, civil cases where the subject matter of the lawsuit is at least $200.00, divorces, election contests, and land title disputes are heard in district court. The 212th District Court does not handle divorce cases because those cases are assigned to a family district court. This court's jurisdiction extends throughout Galveston County. Less serious criminal cases, such as misdemeanors and traffic offenses are heard in county and municipal courts

What kind of things does a district judge do?

District judges preside over felony criminal and civil cases, arraign and give magistrate warnings to persons accused of committing crimes, appoint attorneys to represent indigent persons accused of crimes, convene grand juries, sign indictments, set bail amounts and conditions, supervise defendants on probations, sentence persons convicted of felony crimes, perform weddings and enter protective orders. County and district judges are required by statute to serve on the boards of directors of governmental agencies such as Probation, Juvenile Probation, and Pre-Trial Release. District judges also supervise the County Auditor and Purchaser pursuant to statutes.

Can you make campaign promises about what kind of sentences, verdicts or rulings you will enter if re-elected?

Absolutely not! The Code of Judicial Conduct in Canons 3 & 5 clearly prohibit the making of such promises. Also by making such promises a judge or judicial candidate subjects him or herself to being recused for not being impartial.

Are there limitations on the free speech rights of judges and judicial candidates?

Yes. The Code of Judicial Conduct limits both the behavior and speech of judges and judicial candidates in many ways. Judges and judicial candidates cannot make promises on how they are likely to rule, discuss pending cases, make misrepresentations about their opponents or use the prestige of the court to promote the private business interests of themselves or others. Judges and judicial candidates cannot join organizations that discriminate. Judges are also limited in their ability to publicly defend themselves against false accusations.

The United States Supreme Court did loosen some of the free speech restrictions on judges in the case of Minnesota v. White, 536 U.S. 765 (2002). Many people mistakenly believe that Supreme Court opinion removed the above mentioned restrictions. It did not. The decision did allow judges to publicly express themselves on more issues than before with the understanding that such expressions could result the judges being recused from rendering decisions on such subjects.

What are Associate Judges and Masters?

Some judges have associate judges and masters to help them with their cases. These persons are assistants to the judges. Usually the associate judges handle preliminary matters on the cases for the judge. They are hired and not elected. These assistant judges are bound by the  Code of Judicial Conduct.

Why is diversity in the legal profession and the judiciary so important to you?

Equal justice can only happen when everyone has equal access to participate fully in the justice system. That is why I produced the Color of Justice Video encouraging young persons from minority populations to pursue careers in the law and the judiciary.