I am running to be your judge of the 299^th District Court because I believe in public service and I believe in justice. For most of my career, I have been a public servant, and I have always tried to do justice no matter what role I have occupied. Justice is the backbone of our democracy, it is the safeguard of our rights, and it is the last bastion of our civilization. I believe that I have the courage, the compassion, and the commitment to be a great judge.

I have been an attorney for nearly two decades, the last ten years of which have been exclusively in the criminal justice system. I currently serve as the Mental Health Prosecutor for Travis County. My job focuses on mentally ill and mentally disabled defendants to reduce recidivism, get them the services and care they need, and divert them out of the criminal justice system.

Studies have shown that jails and prisons do not work for these individuals. In the six months since the position was created, we have seen a vast reduction in jail time served, saving the county money in jailing costs and also working to stop the revolving door.

My passion for the law isn’t limited to practicing it. I also teach law as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas. I teach a course that I designed called “The Ethics of Criminal Law,” in which I attempt to impart on young lawyers the importance of prosecutorial discretion and the duty that comes with serving in the criminal justice system. I believe it is the duty of an attorney to do justice, even if it means dismissing a case or losing a case.

I will continue to pursue new and innovative ways to tackle the toughest problems in our criminal justice system as judge of the 299^th, and I ask for your vote.