The Collin County Observer

In Texas, the people chose their judges; they are elected in partisan races. As important as the courts are to the safety and stability of our communities, most voters are unfamiliar with their current judges and those who seek to serve on a court bench.

Texas ethics laws and the legal canons put restraints on what judicial candidates may say during their campaigns, so most voters never get a glimpse of the person who aspires to judicial office. The bewildering list of judicial races on the ballot can confuse even the most savvy and prepared voter.

The Collin County Observer will cover all the local primary and (if needed) general election races for District Courts, Courts at Law and Justice Courts. We will first profile each of the candidates and as the election season proceeds, we hope that we can help share some further insight into the personalities and temperaments of each, so that the voters of Collin County can make informed choices.

The filing deadline for candidates for the 2010 primary ballot is in the first week of January. It is possible that some candidates profiled here may not chose to file, and it is possible that another individual will chose to enter the race, but for the most part, all serious candidates have already begun their campaigns. Those we know about will be profiled here.

Collin County has six County Courts at Law. These courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases, law suits under $100,000 and are the courts of appeal for Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts. Judges for the courts at Law are elected for 4 year terms. All six Court at Law races will appear on the 2010 primary ballot.

Judge John Barry who presides over Collin County Court at Law #3 has announced that he will not seek re-election. This open bench has sparked a 3 way race:

BARNETT WALKER

Barnett Walker came to the practice of law after a 22 year career in the US Air Force. He is a Gulf War veteran who retired as one of the most decorated Senior Master Sergeants in the Air Force. He then attended SMU Law School, graduating in 2004. While attending law school he was twice chosen to participate in the National Criminal Moot Court Championship, which pits the brightest law students in the nation to present legal arguments in front of Justices of the California Supreme Court. Walker then went to work as a prosecutor in the Collin County District Attorney's office, where he served as chief prosecutor for 2 of the Courts at Law. He is now a solo criminal defense practitioner in Prosper.

On his campaign web site, Walker lists his reasons for running and his plans if elected. He Writes that, "Public service has always appealed to me. I find it to be the most rewarding and gratifying endeavor one can undertake. I have spent the past 25 years serving this country and community and with your support I would like to continue to do so for many years to come. I am passionate about the law and issues heard in County Court. Whether it is a criminal trial or civil matter, I truly believe that those who come to court seeking justice deserve the opportunity to be heard and treated fairly."

Mr Walker has been endorsed by the Collin County Deputies' Association, and Commissioner Joe Jaynes.

LANCE S. BAXTER

Lance Baxter is a 1986 graduate of the South Texas College of law in Houston. Since 1999, he has been a partner with the McKinney firm of Baxter Gibbs Robison & Henderson.

His bio on the firm's web site notes that, "Early in his profession, Lance handled banking and bankruptcy matters. His career took a turn when at the request of a judge, he handled a criminal defense case. This experience enlightened him to the fact that some arrested individuals are in fact innocent and in need of representation by a good lawyer. This sparked an interest in criminal defense, and in addition to working civil cases, Lance spends much of his time representing accused citizens in Collin County."

When asked why he is running for the court at law bench, Baxter replied that, "I am been practicing law in Collin County for 23 years. I was one of the finalist for the last two Collin County Court appointments (both court 5 and court 6). I have handled both civil cases and criminal cases during my entire career. I have been a part time hearing master for the mental health court since 1996. The attorneys in the area know me and know my attitude and temperament. I have been very active in all of Collin County Bar activities, including our 8th grade mock trial program and the Bar Conference. I was the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for the Legal Services of North Texas in 1998.

STEWART MATTHEWS

In a campaign flier, Matthews wrote that, "Collin County has a long history of electing excellent judges. As a judge, I will continue in that tradition of excellence -- I will not make the law -- I will apply the law impartially with the highest level of integrity and dedication. I will treat all people who appear in County Court at Law #3 -- litigants, attorneys, jurors and staff -- with respect."

A Wylie resident, Matthews earned his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Tulsa, and a J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 2002.

His flier states that he has tried over 1000 cases for both Plaintiff and Defense, and has handled civil cases, family law, criminal law and probate in Collin and surrounding counties. He also has experience before District and County Courts throughout Texas as well as all Federal Jurisdictions in Texas, including the Eastern District Sherman Division which covers Collin County.

He lists his community involvement as chairman of the Wylie Public Arts Board, Mock Trial Judiciary Committee, Graduation Speaker – Texas Wesleyan School of Law, National Adoption Day Volunteer, Moot Court Judge, Mock Trial Judge, Plano and Allen Pro Bono Clinics, North Texas Crime Commission and in Professional and Honor Societies.

ANGELA M. TUCKER Note: Ms. Tucker has withdrawn from this race and has announced her candidacy for the 219th district Court.

Angela Tucker hails from nearby Grayson County. She graduated with a B.A. in Government and then went on to SMU Law School, earning her J.D. in 1996. While in law school, she interned with Justice Craig Enoch at the Texas Supreme Court.

Ms. Tucker then went to work with the Collin County District Attorney's office, until she left 4 years later to start her own law practice. While with the DA's office, Tucker was promoted to Chief of the Misdemeanor Intake section.

She opened the Law Office of Angela Ivory from 2000 to 2007 and then formed the partnership, Daniel Tucker & Harrison PLLC , in McKinney.Her practice is in the areas of criminal defense, in both the County and District Courts, Juvenile, Child Protective Services, family and civil litigation.

In her bio, Ms. Tucker writes, "My legal career encompasses well over 100 jury trials and many more trials and contested hearings in front of the Court. My legal experience has included criminal and juvenile law, appeals, family law, personal injury, bankruptcy, and immigration. I am one of the few attorneys in Collin County that is qualified to represent and has in fact represented individuals charged with capital murder."

Ms. Tucker also lists her community service with her church, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and McKinney ISD. At the time this article was written, her campaign web site was under construction.

Bill