Accountability
What will you do to promote the just, prompt, and affordable resolution of civil cases that come before your court?
Civil litigation is often stressful, expensive, and slow to resolve. It is incumbent on the court to minimize those burdens when appropriate. Affordable, prompt, and just resolution of cases requires a court that works to resolve its cases while respecting the law. That means taking into account work commitments and vacation schedules when setting hearings and trials, providing language access for those who need it, and permitting people to appear remotely when circumstances require it. It also means making timely hearings, rulings, and trials a priority. The one person who can reduce stress in the courtroom is the judge, through proper judicial temperament. I strive to treat everyone with respect and apply the law fairly.
Court System
What specific actions would you take to ensure the timely resolution of cases while maintaining fairness for all parties?
Timely, fair resolution of cases requires discipline from the bench: hearing motions within two weeks of a request, ruling within two weeks of the hearing, setting firm trial dates, and ordering cases to mediation when appropriate. A court with a reputation for actually trying cases gives litigants incentive to resolve disputes fairly. Since taking the bench, the 190th has cut hearing wait times from three months to two weeks. We have tried over 90 jury trials to verdict. In 2024, the court was recognized for trying more jury trials to verdict than any other state civil court in Harris County. And now, the 190th carries one of the lowest caseloads among the county’s 24 state civil courts. An efficient court is a fairer court.
