For use by Stonewall Democrats

0/ Dallas

2014 Judicial Candidate (Note; Judicial candidates

Questionnaire:

are asked to ONLYanswer the Judicial Candidate questionnaire, and NOT the County or State level questionnaire!)

1. Why are you seeking the endorsement

from Stonewall Democrats of Dallas? County Criminal Court #11

is a court designated to hear Domestic Violence cases. In the past the law has not covered any LGBT relationship within its definition of intimate partner. I know that Domestic Violence occurs within the Although, the law has recently changed LGBT community but it simply does not get enough recognition.

to include same sex couples under the protective order statute, there's still work to do. Having the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas shows me that this organization stands behind my ideas and plans to make a change with the issues of domestic violence in the LGBT community.

2. What are your plans to participate participate.

in a coordinated

campaign in the general election? I attend to

3. Will you use the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsement

in or on:

a) your website- yes

b) your campaign literature

and mailers-yes

c) your social media assets (Twitter, Facebook, etc.}-yes

d) your campaign advertisements-yes

4. When elected, how will you recruit, retain, and create a friendly environment

for

lGBT and lGBT-

friendly staff? Everyone on my staff will be treated fairly and with respect regardless of their race, gender or sexual preference. opportunity discriminated In regards to recruitment I intend on having a LGBT liaison and will keep in teenage mother, I know how it feels to be contact with that liaison to aware them of any open positions within my court. I will provide equal to each applicant. As a minority female/single against and this will not be tolerated in my courtroom

5. Would you be willing to appoint a liaison to meet with the why? Absolutely,

lGBT community on a ongoing basis? If not,

preferably someone from Lulac or Stonewall Democrats.

6. Understanding

that administrative

matters can take up a significant percentage of your work day, what

are some ideas for policies or procedures that you think you can improve court operations for the court which you are seeking office? As a child abuse prosecutor I know firsthand that the entire judicial system constitutional rights and the victim's

moves very slow. This affects the county financially, the offender's

right to seek justice.

Many times court doesn't even get started until lOam -just to have a case reset and diligently by starting at 830 am

over and over again. I want to run the court room more efficiently and only resetting cases when deemed necessary. that are just lagging around without setting a disposition

Also there are a lot of cases in this particular court I intend on reviewing this caseload and

any type of disposition.

so that the backlog of old cases can be cleaned up.

What are the most important

policies or procedures you've identified

as needing improvement?

When

dealing with victims of violence - time is of the essence. even years to report abuse or leave the offender.

Many times it has taken victim's months or

Once they do leave, statistics have shown it is often

the period after reporting that the offender is most volatile. Typically this is when you see the murdersuicide cases occur. In order to close the doors on domestic violence we need to stop delaying the disposition of cases. I think it is very important regarding the administrative to hold every player in the court process accountable to needed but I believe there are many the timeliness and effort put behind each case. I understand that this question only calls for an answer policies or procedures currently

programs that likewise need to be put in place in order to help reduce the rate of domestic violence. I look forward to the opportunity to share these programs and ideas with you.

I, --"::;.....~~~-b'----"'-;;.w..;'+l"f----' am seeking an endorsement

from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas.