AD HOC LEGISLATIVECOMMlnEE FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FORJUDICIAL CANDIDATES

This document was used as part of the committee's evaluati on process and is presented to provide the Council with addit ional information on the candidates . This summary includes the ranking of the
candidate by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Other columns show the score of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) given to sitti ng judges by the Administrative Judge, Prosecutors, and the Defense Attorney Bar
Association. In addition, there is commentary from Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys evaluating sitti ng judges.
--Councilmembers Angela Hunt and Delia Jasso
Co-Chairs, Ad Hoc Legislative Committee for Judicial Appointments
NAME JNe ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
Jay E. Robinson' 1 4 3.22 4.85 Fair and professional. He is always willing to help with off-docket issues. He runs an
effi cient court and is very knowledgeable. He is very consistent
Judge Robinson shows sympathy towards defendants in and knowledgeable. Heis always accessible and willing to work
regards to fines. His guilty fines typically range from $0 to $50. through off-docket matters. He is fair and impartial, even
tempered; he looks into issues and looks up the applicable law.
He is very efficient, amazing judge. He isconscientious and
knowledgeable.
'Sitting Full-TIme judge
"Sitting PartTime (Associate) Judge
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AD HOC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES
NAME JNC ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
carri e L. Chavez' 2 3.96 1.8 4.65 She li kes to do her own thing In the courtroom, which means Best j udge on the bench, an absolute asset to Dallas Municipal
she regularl y ignores stat e and city laws. For example, in all Court . She is pat ient , kind, very knowledgeable, and always
crimina l cases, t he State is the party who bri ngs a case against accessible. Sheis an awesome judge. We are lucky to have
a part icular individual, but in one inst ance, Judge Chavez her. She is a fantasti c judge . She under stands the court system
changed the name of the defendant and replaced it with the and how things work better than anyone . She is very
name of the defen dant' s spouse, who was never charged by thorough, courteous to citizens and attorneys and very
the State. She talks to defense attorneys about their cases effici ent . Best judge at Dallas Municipal Court. The city is lucky
wi thout the prosecutor present, another violation of ethics to have Judge Chavezon the bench because she is as good as it
rul es. She will also call a case to trial even if the prosecutor gets.
wants to dismiss the casebecause the judge wants to prevent
the prosecutor from fil ing t he case again (double jeopardy
would prevent re-fiIing). Judge Chavez seems to be a nice
person. However, she falls short on following the law and
adhering to the ethical st andards expected of a judge.
Shehas on many occasions bypassed the prosecutor to reset
cases, grant community service without anyevidence of
hardship on the defendant, and is the biggest supporter of the
"open plea" system.
She frequent ly has ex parte communications with defe; se
attorneys about caseson th e docket of
--
the city attorney.
--
-
Sitting Full-Time Judge
**Sitting Part-TIme (Associate} Judge
Page2 of 8
ADHOCLEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FORJUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARYEVALUATION SHEET FORJUDICIAL CANDIDATES
NAME JNC ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
Michael Acuna' 3 4 3.3 4.28 Generally fair on the cases but often criticizes other judges, Heis an awesome judge. He knows more about the law than
departments, staff members and attorneys while on the bench anyone i n the courthouse. The AJ looks to Acuna for law. He is
in open court and, particularly, in the corr idor between courts. very fair and courteous, very efficient. He is an excellent judge,
Judge Acuna is sometimes inconsistent in applying the Local a team player and hardworking, top ..Judge Acuna treats
Rules; he treats some def ense attorneys distinct from others attorneys differently and places special requirements on some.
under similar circumstances with motions for continuance, etc. I am required to present letters of authorization to cover cases
for other attorneys; he has issued rulings which are
Almost to a fault, he treats everyone that is in front of him the inconsistent regarding motions for continuance under the
same way, no matter if they are prosecutors, defense counsel exact same circumstances.
I
or pro se defendants. He applies the law the same way to each
defendant and each case.
I
Judge Acuna follows the local rules st ringent ly. He requires a
written motion for cont inuances and applies this standard t o
both prosecutors and defense attor neys.
Inconsistent with application of Local Rules. Some inconsistent
treatment of attorneys as well.
tS,tti ng Full-Ti me Judge
Sitting Part-Time (Associate) Judge
Page3 of 8
ADHOCLEGISLATIVE COMMITIEE FORJUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FORJUDICIAL CANDIDATES
-_.
I PROSEC NAME ,iNC DEFENSE PROSCUTJON COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKIN(;j JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
._ - -
C. Victo r Lanq.l1 4 'lA 4.22 Although Judge l ander has had some success as Admi nistrat ive He has had many posit ive accompl ishments since he has been
Judge. he has failed to fix numerous administrative problems in admi ni st rat ive judge. He is very professional. He doesn't
the courts- For example , the oft-doc ket system promotes understand how to apply appli cable law because he's not used
jUClges tal king t o defense attorneys wi t hout prosecutors to a t rial court
present (a viol atio n of ethics rules) and the docket call process,
which is inefficient and unfair to the State (by the Judge' s own
admi ssion) . As Administr at ive Judge, Judge Lander has dir ect
supervision over th e Hearing Officer in Dallas Municipal Court.
Hearing Officer Aaron Kaufman has received numerous
complaints for his performance and lax enforcement of OUI city
housing codes. However, Judge Lander has not acted on these
complaints. A. s a t ri al judg e. Judge l ander is fair and imp art ial.
Cheryl D. Will iams' 5 3.96 3 3.6S She does a good job of complying with the law. oarticularlv the Shp. is olren rude but is good at handling the Juvenile docket.
jsoeri ,' ''''o. 'livenile docket. sne wouio ne better if she toned l:>Ileis nor accessible for off-docket matters, and is often rude.
down her yelling habit and controlled the act ions of her bailiff. She is areat at dolnz the iuvenile docket, but is not of a good
I'''moerament f(lr n".. She is not accommodating on
ott -docket problems. She is poor asto accessibility, except
when on the bench
'Sitting Full-Tlrne Judge
" Sitt i ng Part- Time (Associate) Judge
Page4 of 8
ADHOC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES
NAME JNC ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORf
SCORE
Dani el F. Soli s' 6 3.96 3.8 4.52 He is professional and respect f ul to all parti es. He understands He is a great judge, very helpful, always willing to help with off-
the Texas Rules of EVidence, Texas Criminal Court Procedures docket matters or anyquestions. He board certified; he runs
and the Local Rules and follows them. He is sometimes late to an efficient court; he is patient and always will.ing to teach. I
the bench and does favor some defen se attorneys. appreciate that. He is a great judge who knows a lot and
understands applicable law. He takes each trial very seriously.
He tends to follow prosecutor recommendations on fines and He isgreat at handling family violence docket. He is very caring
seems fair across the board. and hardworking.
Knows the law well; complies with the local rules: fair to both
sides.
Monica M. Purdy ' 7 3.95 3.78 3.73 Fair to both sides but does not fol low the law on granting She is new and not knowledgeable, although well spoken and
community servi ce andl or time served to defe ndants. nice. Sheneeds to learn a lot.
Judge isvery professional and treats attorneys and pro se
defendants fairly and impartially.
"Sitti ng Full -Time Judge
"Sitting Part-Time (Assodate) Judge
PageS of8
AD HOC LEGISLATIVECOMMllTEE FORJUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES
NAME JNC ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
Ruth Catherine Logan' 8 4 2. 22 4.85 Ellt remely partial t o the defen se; Judge Logansigns and The city is lucky to have her. Sheis very fair and runs an
appro ves most any defense motion for any reason and is effici ent court. She runs a very smoot h court and it is always a
unfazed by ethical boundari es, such as discussing a case wi t h a pleasure to see her and practice before her. She is very tactful
defense att orney without get t ing the prosecuto r' s input, which and court eous and is doing great for the fir st time as a full-time
i s a violation of ethics rul es and prevents the prosecutor from trial court judge . She wants to learn . She is a great addition to
being heard on it s own case. the Dallasju diciary.
Judge Logan generally follows the local rules and gives the
prosecut or and defendan t equal opportunity to be heard.
However, Judge is more likely to grant a cont inuance to the
defendant than to the State. Judge also grant s community
service or ti me served in cases that are in capias status and
where the court has (long) lost its juri sdiction.
Judge Logan hands out community service and time served
reli gi ously. She does not know the law. Resets are allowed
without cash bonds for late defend ants.
Preston W. Robinson, Jr." 9 3.916 3.53 4.78 Professional and pleasant to work with but sometimes hears He would be an excellent full-time judge. He is very
cases without both sides present, which is a violation of ethical professional , a great judge, runs a great court. He is an asset to
rules. the Dallas Mun icipal Court. He is an excellent judge, I would
love to see him on the bench more. We are lucky to have him.
Judge is effi cient and fair to the State and defendants I would love to see him full-time. He is a good candidate for
regardless if they are pro se or repr esented by an attorney. full t i me bench.
Judge does not t ry to get out of trials, and he seems to stick by
the ecp(Code of Cri mi nal Procedure ) and local rules.
Judge Robinson will reset cases without cash bonds.
" Sit ti ng Full-Time Judge
" Sitting Part-Tirne (Associat e) JUdge
Page6 of8
ADHOCLEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FORJUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FORJUDICIAL CANDIDATES
NAME
JNC I
ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
Timot eo F. Gonzalez' 10 3.92 1.67 4.66 Judge usually tal ks defendants out of trial and they will agree He is a great judge. He runs an effici ent court and is helpful
to plea or reset the case t o get an att orney. It usually occurs with off docket matters. He is one of our most efficient judges;
when the prosecutor leavesto prepare for tr ial. When the he gets to the heart of a case quickly. He runs an efficient
prosecutor returns to court they learn that there will be no trial court and movescasesquickly; he doesn't waste time having
that day. Very nice guy though. long drawn out trials ; he gets to the heart of the matter
quickly.
Judgeis impartial in that he treats pro se and those
represented by attorneys the same. However, he does not like
trials and will often reset a caseto avoid presiding over a trial.
Judgealso does not follow the CCP or the local rules as he
quashes complaints without defendant being present and
without pre-trial motions flied . He also regularly resets cases
without requiring a bond when neither attorney nor defendant
show up or when the defendant shows up late. Judge is known
for drastically redu cing fines, even after the defendant and
State enter into an agreement and defendant does not even
ask for a reduction.
E.A. (Elizabeth) Srere" 11 3.966 1.5 4.54 Shedoes not seem to know t he law and i s extremely part ial to She is very nice and accommodating, helpful with off-docket
the defense bar. matters, pleasant to all. She runs a very efficient court. She is
trying but needs to learn a lot more . Shewould be fine as fult-
time Judge.
William Marple 12 NA NA NA --------------.---- --_. ------------ - - .
J. Oliver Lee, Jr. 13 NA NA NA --
. -. ---. ..
"Sltting Full-Time Judge
"Sltting Part-Time (Associat e) Judge Page7 of8
ADHOC LEGISLATIVE COMMlTIEE FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
SUMMARY EVALUATION SHEET FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES
NAME JNC ADM PROSEC DEFENSE PROSECUTION COMMENTS DEFENSE COMMENTS
RANKING JUDGE SCORE SCORE
SCORE
Julie Clancy' 14 3.96 2.04 4.54 judge Clancy often enters the State' s witness room and speaks Sheis a tough judge; very fair; runs a great court. She runs a
wit h the State's witnesses (usually poli ce offi cers); this makes it t ight ship; moves her docket very efficiently; she is a great
very diffi cult for t he prosecutors to i nt ervi ew their witnesses judge. Sheis a tough judge, but understands the law and how
wi thout the judge hearing the facts of the case. The judge is it applies. Shetr ies hard. It is great to have a tough judge who
only supposed to consider evidence presented during the trial is tough on both sides. Sheis bright, decisive, a team player,
and should not hear a confidential conversation between the hard working.
State and its witnesses. Judge Clancy also hears and grants
defense attorney motions Without providing the prosecutor
(City's attorney) with the opportunity to be heard. This is a
violat ion of ethics rules and unfair to the City'Sattorneys, who
are bringing the case. Judge Clancy does not adhere to the
ethical standards expected of a judge.
Thisjudge is very efficient and expects anyone stepping foot
l nside her courtroom to be the same, including pro se
defendants . Sometimes, I feel like she is too strict or too
forceful with the pro se defendants. Also, thi s judge has
fri endly relationships with a number of police officers and
defense attorneys. This, however, has never been a problem
for me specifically. My experience in her courtroom is that
althou gh she may make you feel a little rushed at times, she is
fair. I have never seen this j udge act in a manner which was
Daniel L Ryan 15 NA NA NA
. ...
Paula M. Rosales Aldana 16 NA NA NA
. .- ...
David C. lndorf" 17 3.96 2. 1 3.18 He was formerly the full time judge for our appearance court He is not very helpful with off-docket matters. He refuses to
(proof or ptea) but he now presides over a trial court, where he do/ handle off-docket issues despite being the off-docket judge;
has demonstrated a commitment to follow t he law and the for the week. He doesn't understand howto apply applicable
local rules. Judge Indorf has proven to be a very good trial law since he is not used to a trial court.
j udge.
Tony Martin 18 NA NA NA
... _. __.-... . _--- - ---- - - - - ~ - ~ - - - - - _ .._-_._._----- _.. _.-
'Sitting Full-Time Judge
'Sit t i ng Part-Time (Associat e) Judge Page8 of 8