What Does County Court at Law No. 1 Actually Do?

One of the things I hear most often on the campaign trail is: "I didn't even know that court existed." And honestly, that's understandable. Judicial races are at the bottom of the ballot, and most voters focus on the races at the top. But the decisions made in County Court at Law No. 1 may affect your family more directly than any other elected office in Waller County.

Here's what this court handles:

Family Law

• Child custody and visitation: When parents can't agree on who the kids live with, this is the court that decides.
• Divorce and property division: The court divides assets, assigns debts, and finalizes the terms of a divorce.
• Child support: Establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders.
• Adoption proceedings: Finalizing adoptions and making them official under Texas law.

Civil and Criminal Litigation

• Misdemeanor criminal cases: Class A and Class B misdemeanors, including DWI, assault, theft, and drug possession.
• Appeals: Cases appealed from Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts.
• Civil disputes: Lawsuits involving amounts up to $250,000, including contract disputes, property damage, and landlord-tenant issues.
• Juvenile cases: Cases involving minors accused of criminal conduct.

Estates and Probate

• Estate administration: Overseeing the distribution of a deceased person's assets.
• Will contests: When family members disagree about the validity of a will.
• Guardianships: Appointing guardians for incapacitated adults or minor children.
• Trusts: Disputes involving trust administration and distribution.

Why This Matters

Think about it this way: if your family goes through a divorce, a custody battle, a probate dispute, or if someone you love is charged with a misdemeanor, the judge of County Court at Law No. 1 is the person making the decisions that affect your family's future.

That's why experience matters. That's why judicial philosophy matters. And that's why I'm asking you to pay attention to this race, even if it's at the bottom of your ballot.

Your family deserves a judge who has spent years in this courtroom and understands the weight of every decision.