Qualifications: What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?
ISSUES: What are the two (2) most pressing issues that you will face in the office that you seek? Describe your specific plans/ideas for addressing these issues.
Kelley Andrews
I have spent my entire legal career working in the area of criminal law. I spent 12 years as a criminal defense attorney representing people charged with Class C misdemeanors up to 1st Degree felonies. I have spent the last 7 years as Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 6. Additionally, I preside over one of the Harris County Misdemeanor Sober Courts and am hopeful to help create a new Misdemeanor Mental Health Court along with the District Attorney's office and the Harris County Public Defender's Office this year. I treat all people that walk through the door to Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 6 with dignity and compassion, and I work to ensure fairness to ALL who find themselves a part of the criminal justice process.
Addressing mental illness is crucial in the criminal system. Since taking office is has been a priority for me and we have made great strides. My hope is that I together with other Harris County stakeholders will be able to create a formal misdemeanor mental health court (similar to the one in felony district courts) in 2026. In Substance abuse is as crucial a factor as mental illness is in the criminal system. I will continue in my role as presiding judge over the Women's Misdemeanor Sober Court in addition to regular docket. Addressing mental illness and substance abuse work to lower recidivism rates, help the people charged with crimes make changes that will keep them out of the criminal system, and to protect the community as a whole.
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