• I am committed to being an official worthy of the community's trust. My goal is to approach the work with fairness, integrity, and respect for the law. 

• Break the cycle of unchallenged seats at the County level. When there is only one candidate running for office, there is literally no reason to vote. Elections are about engagement and participation. Bastrop County voters deserve a choice on the ballot as well as the opportunity to expand the scope of representation among their local elected officials. 

 Q&A

Q: Why are judicial positions associated with political parties? A judge is supposed to be non-political, right?

A: Judicial positions are listed by party affiliation in states that use partisan elections.  Texas is one of those states. 

Ultimately - and in my opinion -  if a Judge is following the law, it should be difficult to tell whether they are a Republican or a Democrat. 

Q: Are you a lawyer?

A: No. The requirements for serving as Justice of the Peace are as follows:

1.  Be a Texas resident for 12 consecutive months and resident of your        precinct for at least 6 months.
2. Be at least 18 years of age with no felony convictions and never deemed mentally incompetent by a court.
3. Registered to vote.

Q: What type of training is required for incoming Justices of the Peace?

A:  New Justices of the Peace in Texas must complete 80 hours of training in their first year and 20 hours annually thereafter.

While training for credit cannot officially begin until elected, the Texas Justice Court Training Center coursework is available to candidates in advance of the November election. 

I am currently reviewing the training material. My intention is to be prepared and ready to serve.

Q: What types of cases are handled by the JP Courts?

A: The Justice of the Peace courts provide the community with ground level access to the legal system. In many cases, the parties involved represent themselves.

1.  Class C Misdemeanors: Minor criminal offenses such as public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and petty theft. These cases are punishable by fines only and do not involve jail time 
2. Eviction Cases: A landlords seek to remove tenants from rental properties, often due to non-payment of rent or lease violations.
3. Small Claims: Civil cases involving claims for damages or disputes that do not exceed $20,000. Small claims can include issues like unpaid debts or damages to property. 
4. Debt Claims: Cases where a creditor seeks to recover debts owed, typically involving amounts less than $20,000. This can include personal loans, unpaid bills, and other financial disputes. 
5. Repair and Remedy Cases: These cases involve disputes between landlords and tenants regarding the failure to make necessary repairs or maintenance in rental properties. 
6. Animal Control Cases: Justice of the Peace courts may also hear cases related to violations of local animal control ordinances, such as issues with dangerous animals or cruelty to pets. 
7. Truancy Cases: These involve violations of compulsory education laws, where Justices of the Peace may issue citations and conduct hearings related to student attendance.