Judicial Approach

Efficient, Experienced Justice You'd Expect from a Good Neighbor

"The People's Court"

A good Justice of the Peace is trusted, rooted in the community, and understands the experiences of everyday neighbors. I became an attorney later in life—first gaining the perspective of living and working like everyone else, then adding legal training and experience to complement it.

That combination and balance makes me uniquely qualified to create a courtroom that’s clear, approachable, and easy for our community to navigate.

This calling is one I already practice in the courtroom—engaging with people in a down-to-earth way, making the law clear and understandable, and fostering productive conversations that lead to fair and just outcomes.

I routinely coordinate with opposing attorneys on cases to achieve optimal outcomes for everyone involved. As judge, I will have robust resources and procedures available to encourage similar outcomes plus dedicated coordination with the Constable's Office and the District Attorney's Office that focuses on case disposition efficiency.

Finally, I will continue to protect the due process rights of all litigants, with a focused commitment to addressing a systemic problem in our courts: falsified returns of service by a growing list of process servers. An increasing number of defendants are being reported as served when, in fact, they were never notified of the lawsuit. This fraudulent practice violates fundamental constitutional rights and results in default judgments against individuals who were denied any meaningful opportunity to appear and defend themselves.

My Priorities

Our community deserves a full-time Justice of the Peace—and I commit to serving full-time, with my sole professional focus devoted to the court, guided by extensive legal experience, proven sound judgment, and clear core principles that serve our citizens well.

Fair & Impartial

A judge’s obligation is to decide every case based solely on the facts presented and the law as written. Impartiality, consistency, and disciplined judgment are required in every matter before the court, without regard to who the parties are or the nature of the dispute.

My conservative values provide the framework for that responsibility. Respect for the rule of law, equal application of the law, personal accountability, and limited judicial authority guide my approach to judicial decision-making.

These principles demand restraint and independence, ensuring decisions are driven by evidence and legislative intent rather than personal preference or outside pressure.

Whether resolving disputes between neighbors, small claims matters, or Class C misdemeanor cases, my role is to apply the law fairly and independently, grounded in the facts before the court. While maintaining that neutrality, all who appear will be treated with professionalism and respect.

My commitment is to a court that decides cases lawfully, consistently, and in a way that earns public confidence.

Uphold the Law

An impartial and independent judiciary is central to our republican form of government. A judge is prohibited from exercising power given to the legislature.

My responsibility is to apply governing statutes and procedural rules to the facts of each case and render decisions grounded in the law.

In eviction cases, this means enforcing statutory notice requirements, deadlines, and evidentiary standards.

In truancy matters, it means enforcing attendance laws while considering the circumstances of the child and family and using tailored interventions to maximize compliance.

In small claims cases, it means applying uniform legal standards and deciding disputes based on admissible evidence and applicable law.

In misdemeanor cases, it means enforcing offenses and penalties, while exercising discretion—where permitted—to consider lawful alternatives such as deferred disposition or compliance-based remedies.

I will respect the separation of powers and apply the law to the facts presented, using discretion only where the Legislature has granted it.

Increase Efficiency

Parties deserve a timely resolution to their court case.

I will lead my team to dramatically improve the court’s procedures and operations so that every case moves swiftly toward resolution--saving time and reducing the burden and cost of litigation.

Court staff will be extensively cross-trained to ensure all functions continue seamlessly, regardless of staffing levels. Staff will be trained and empowered to apply Six Sigma and Lean process improvements to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce delays, and significantly improve response times—setting a high standard for public service in the court.

Technology, including the responsible use of AI, will be maximized to reduce reliance on paper-based and in-person transactions where legally permissible and operationally effective.

Public-facing resources will be substantially updated and expanded to better support litigants—particularly those without legal representation—by providing clear, accessible information that allows them to navigate the court process with greater confidence and less stress. These improvements will also reduce routine inquiries to staff, conserving time and public resources.

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