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.
Sedrick T. Walker II
I have been an elected trial court judge since 2019 and served in two appointed judicial leadership positions in Harris County. Since taking office, I have presided over several jury trials and contested hearings. I have completed many hours of continuing judicial & legal education in criminal law and regularly conduct legal research on my own time. In addition to my regular judicial duties, I preside over a treatment court within the Harris County S.O.B.E.R. Court Program. Prior to my judicial service, I practiced criminal law exclusively by handling misdemeanor and felony cases as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. I am known for my professionalism, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
One issue is reframing the perception of local judges, particularly in terms of the law and procedures we must follow daily. I plan to address this through community outreach (seminars/webinars, written articles, etc.) with the goal of educating the public about the criminal court process from the beginning of a case until its conclusion - and the judge's role in the process. Another issue is determining the best ways to use the court system to prevent reoffending, as much as we can. Major contributors to criminal behavior are untreated mental illness and substance abuse, and I plan to continue working with the judiciary, criminal justice agencies, and community groups to develop even more programs to address these issues.
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