For

use

by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas

2014 Judicial Candidate Questionnaire: (Note: Judicial candidates are asked to.ONLY answer the Judicial Candidate questionnaire, and NOT the County or State Level questionnaire!)

1.

Why are you seeking the endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of Datlas? I am running for re-election to the 303rd District Court, unopposed. I have sought and received Stonewatl's endorsement for each election l've run (2004, 2006 and 2010). Stonewatl Democrats are a tongstanding strong Democratic organization in the county and a valuabte atty in any election.

2.

What are your ptans to participate in a coordinated campaign in the general election? I plan to assist in volunteering to get out the vote and contributing financiatly as able.

3. Witt you use the Stonewall Democrats of Dattas endorsement

a) b)

in or on:

your website- yes, to the extent that endorsements are inctuded on the website. your campaign titerature and maiters-l do not anticipate using campaign titerature and mailers since I am unopposed. lf I do use them, yes. your social media assets (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) yes, to the extent that endorsements are inctuded on my social media assets. your campaign advertisements- I do not anticipate any further campaign advertisements for this cycte since I am unopposed. lf I do create any, yes.

c)
d)
4.

When elected, how witl you recruit, retain, and create a friendty environment for LGBT and LGBT-friendty staff? I ptan to continue to follow the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, which states in retevant part as fo[[ows: " A judge shatl not, in the performance of judicial duties, by words or conduct manifest bias or prejudice, inctuding but not timited to bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, retigion, national origin, disabitity, age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, and shatl not knowingty permit staff, court officiats and others subject to the judge's direction and control to do so." Currentty, when LGBT titigants present themsetves for "proving-up" agreed or uncontested matters, their famities are all wetcome at the bench to attend what have essentiatty become famity cetebrations. Name/gender changes, and adoptions very often become ceremonies in and of themsetves that require the recognition of a person's entire famity. I always welcome the participation of famities in these ceremonies. lt is a joy and honor to be a part of them when I am able to do so.

5.

to appoint a liaison to meet with the LGBT community on a ongoing basis? lf not, why? I do not anticipate that this is necessary in my court at this time. No other organization has such a special liaison with my court, and I would be concerned about creating relationships intended to influence judicia[ conduct in contravention of the code of judiciat conduct. Obviousty, I am witling to meet with anyone regarding general community
Woul,d you be witting

concerns, shoutd they arise. I cannot meet ex parte about specific cases pending in Dallas county.

6.

Understanding that administrative matters can take up a significant percentage of your work day, what are some ideas for poticies or procedures that you think you can improve court operations for the court which you are seeking office? What are the most important poticies or procedures you've identified as needing improvement? Over the years I have come to believe that votunteer [ega[ services are lacking most in famity court in the representation of chitdren. I am working on a few projects to attempt to organize a response to this. Chitdren are often the most vutnerable in family law litigation, and white there is provision for obtaining representation for them, under the current statutory framework, they are only avaitabte when a governmental agency is invotved (CPS cases) and in cases where either or lf the parents cannot afford an attorney for the best both parents can afford to pay for interest of the children, and if CPS is not involved, then children are often teft unrepresented. Cases invotving chitdren in families where famity viotence, mentat iltness and/or drug abuse are present often requirq chitd representation. I would like to continue to facititate this.

it.

l,

Dennise Garcia, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewatl Democrats

of

Da[[as.

Date