As for the primary duties, I oversee the handling of cases in my court. These include felony criminal cases, all types of civil cases (except family cases), juvenile cases, and cases involving the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (formerly known as CPS). In dealing with the cases, my staff and I schedule and conduct hearings and trials.

 

From an administrative standpoint, I select and manage my court staff. This includes my court coordinator, secretary, court reporter, and bailiff. The staff and I work together with attorneys and the District Clerk’s Office in setting hearings and trials as well as summoning jurors and grand jurors. I along with the other district judge select the Chief Probation Officers for the adult and juvenile probation departments. Both of us judges also select the Nacogdoches County Auditor and his assistants.  

 

Another duty includes selecting grand juror commissioners who in turn select potential grand jurors. Once determined to be qualified by me, the grand jurors serve the county by indicting suspects charged with felony offenses. Each of the two district courts take turns impaneling the grand juries. Each court oversees the grand juries for six month increments.

 

As for criminal and “CPS” cases involving indigent parties, I appoint qualified attorneys to represent the indigent parties. Such appointments are made in accordance with requirements set forth by law.