_PNG.png)
EMPOWERING AND
UNITING DALLAS
About this Election
Dallas County Justice of the Peace judges decide thousands of cases involving housing and money in lawsuits up to $20,000. That means that someone can sue or be sued for up to $20,000 in this court and the judge will make a legally binding decision in the case.
Many voters want clear, easy-to-find information about the educational background of the candidates seeking this office, including whether candidates are attorneys and how long they have practiced law. Most of my opponents are not attorneys since candidates are not required to be lawyers to be judge of this very important court. There are no educational requirements at all to run.
After being elected, Texas requires all new Justice of the Peace judges to complete an 80 hour training course. This training does not test the person's understanding or mastery of the information presented. The requirement is met by attendance. Attorneys and non attorneys that are elected to this position attend the same 80 hour training. However, attorneys have shown legal mastery and understanding of the law by passing a Bar Exam. There are no exams to test the understanding of the non attorneys that are elected to this bench.
Credit Card Debt Cases in Texas Justice of the Peace Courts - Did You Know?
Texas Justice of the Peace courts handle credit card debt and other consumer debt cases more than any other type of case. According to the 2024 Annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary (see below), credit card and other consumer debt filings increased by approximately 20% in Texas Justice of the Peace courts, meaning they were filed more frequently than eviction cases. Nearly half of all cases filed in Texas Justice of the Peace courts in 2024 were debt cases.
The Dallas Morning News wrote an article earlier this year that stated, "Of the top 20 cities with the most debt collection accounts, 11 were in Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving and Garland." CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE.
Your local Justice of the Peace court is the court that you will most likely encounter if you are sued. These lawsuits can involve amounts up to $20,000, and the law governing them is complex. Judges in these courts make decisions that significantly affect both plaintiffs and defendants.
I have tried hundreds of consumer defense and credit card debt defense cases in Justice of the Peace courts. My prior legal experience includes extensive work in consumer debt defense, representing individuals in lawsuits brought by banks and credit card companies. This experience is not offered to suggest bias toward either side, but to explain my extensive knowledge in the law, procedural rules, and evidentiary requirements that govern the cases most frequently filed in Justice of the Peace courts.
Very few attorneys have ever practiced in a justice of the peace court and even fewer have practiced high-volume consumer debt defense in these courts like I have. I bring a rare and unique perspective along with legal knowledge in various other practice areas.
