Curriculum Vitae

Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law #9
(January 1, 1995 to present)

Our Court handles Class A and Class B Misdemeanors for which defendants are facing up to one year in jail. We hear driving while intoxicated, prostitution, assault, theft, and various other criminal cases.

During my tenure I have reduced our case count by 50% and my trial docket by 80% while cutting my budget for indigent representation by 33%.

Education

Graduate Studies
University of Houston Law Center
Doctor of Jurisprudence
Graduation Date: May 1988

Undergraduate Studies
University of Houston
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Graduation Date: May, 1985

High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Graduation Date: May, 1982

Honors and Activities

Professional
Certification in Criminal Law, Texas Center for the Judiciary (2006)
Recipient, Judge of the Year Award 2005 from P.O.L.I.C.E. (Police Officer's Looking Into Courtroom Excellence)
Member, State Bar of Texas (1988 to present)
Member, State Bar College (1997)
Member, Houston Bar Association (1994 to present)
Continuing Education Committee (1996 to 1998)
Institute Chair (1997-98)
Co-Chair: Immigration Law for the General Practitioner (1997)
Member, Criminal Law Section HBA (1994 to present)
Board of Directors (1995-1996) & (2001 to present)
Treasurer (1996 -1997)
Chair-Elect (1997-98)
Chair (1998-99)
Administration of Justice Committee (2001-02)

Presiding Judge, Harris County Criminal Courts at Law (2002)
Co-Presiding Judge, Harris County Criminal Courts at Law (2001)

Member, American Inns of Court -- Garland Walker Chapter (1996-98)
Delta Theta Phi, (1998-present) Exchequer (2004); Master Scholar (2005); Vice Dean (2006)

Member, Houston Young Lawyer's Association (1994 to present)
Member, Harris County Criminal Lawyer's Association (1988-91)
Speaker, 9th Annual Criminal Law Seminar -- HCCLA, 1995
HYLA Pocket Parts, Practice Notes, July 1996. "Evading Arrest -- It's not what it used to be"
Strathmore's WHO'S WHO 2001-2002

Graduate
Class Co-Captain 1988 Graduating Class -- UH Law Center
Vice President -- Trial Lawyer's Association UH Chapter (1986-87)
Am. Jur. Award for Excellence in Civil Procedure (1986)
Board of Advocates (1986-1988)
Executive Justice of Trial Advocacy (1987-88)
(Largest intramural tournament)
Executive Coordinator National Mock Trial Competition
(Coordinated/Recruited contestants/witnesses for 1987 Regional Finals)
Student Representative to State Bar Committee
Penal Code and Criminal Procedure (1986-88)
Commended by the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (1988)

Undergraduate
Mediator -- George Washington Justice Center (1981-82)
Criminal Justice Organization (1983-1985)
Dean's List (1984-1985)
Honorable Mention -- Outstanding Graduate (1982)
High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Community
Board of Directors -- International Institute of Education (1996-99)
Advisor, High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (1989 to present)
IDEA Committee of the HBA (1995-96)
Talking to middle school classes about drugs

Houston Bar Association Inter Professional Relations/Physician-Attorney Committee (1995-96)
Honorable Mention USA Today Community Solutions for Education (1996)
Meritorious Service Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (1997)

Member: Greater Houston Pachyderm Club
Downtown Houston Pachyderm Club
Secretary, State Federation of Pachyderm Clubs (1995 to 1999)
Treasurer, State Federation of Pachyderm Clubs (1998-1999)
Board of Directors, Downtown Houston Pachyderm Club (1995-1998)

Houston Professional Republican Women
National Hispanic Republican Assembly

Magic Circle
Daughter's of Liberty

Member, Grace United Methodist Church
Has served as Trustee, Chancellor Choir Member,
Contemporary Choir Drummer, Member Nominations and
Personnel Committee, Worship Committee, Hispanic Outreach Chair,
Food Pantry Worker and Youth Director

Member, Executive Women's Golf Association (1997-2000)
Member, Greater Heights Lion's Club (1999-present)