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.
Beverly D. Armstrong
I've been licensed to practice for 27 years. I was a prosecutor for 16 years and I'm completing my first term as Judge of the 208th District Court in Harris County. Prior to being elected in 2022, I handled 1,000+ cases, including jury and bench trials, sentencing hearings, probation hearings, suppression hearings, etc. My criminal trial experience expands from complex murder cases to misdemeanor theft cases. Additionally, I’ve written multiple appellate briefs, and successfully argued before the 9th Court of Appeals. Since my swearing in, I've worked hard to improve case management, docketing and inherited backlog. As such, active pending cases have been reduced from 2,205 in Jan 2023 to 727 cases currently, with a clearance rate of 147%.
1) public perception of judiciary in Harris County and 2) clearing lingering cases.
To dispel the negative perception of judges, I'll participate in community engagements across the County to help educate the public on Constitutional requirements regarding the setting and/or denial of bail. I'll continue to follow, per the oath I've sworn to, the law as written while keeping public safety at the forefront.
To manage the case load, I'll continue to prioritize complex cases on the trial docket that have lingered due to evidentiary challenges by imposing a special scheduling order signed by all parties. And, limit continuances. Additionally, I'll maintain an effective method of resolving incoming and recently filed cases in a timely manner.
To dispel the negative perception of judges, I'll participate in community engagements across the County to help educate the public on Constitutional requirements regarding the setting and/or denial of bail. I'll continue to follow, per the oath I've sworn to, the law as written while keeping public safety at the forefront.
To manage the case load, I'll continue to prioritize complex cases on the trial docket that have lingered due to evidentiary challenges by imposing a special scheduling order signed by all parties. And, limit continuances. Additionally, I'll maintain an effective method of resolving incoming and recently filed cases in a timely manner.
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