Experience critical to District Court race

The race for judge of the 196th District Court features two very different individuals. Incumbent Joe Leonard has served as 196th District Court Judge since 1995, presiding over 2,000 court cases a year, and his experience is an important part of his campaign for re-election.

"I am best qualified [to be 196th District Court judge] because I am the only candidate with judicial experience," Leonard said. "A judge must make hard decisions every day and be a leader."

His competitor, Republican nominee and current first assistant district attorney Steve Tittle, has never served as a judge before, but has over a decade of experience as a felony prosecutor.

"At 37 years old, I have the energy, enthusiasm and determination to work the long hours necessary to streamline the case schedule, balance spending, and resolve cases expeditiously," he said. "I have over ten years experience in criminal and civil law, the two areas a district judge oversees."

Leonard, a graduate of the University of Texas, is confident in the way the District Court is currently run.

"My policies and procedures are well accepted and based on experience," he said. "The court runs smoothly without long delays for hearings."

Tittle, who holds degrees from SMU and Pepperdine University, thinks differently.

"I would improve court scheduling and modernize the courtroom," he said. "First, I would separate the criminal and civil hearings each day, which are currently set simultaneously. Jury trials need to be better coordinated so that potential jurors do not wait for hours in hallways that are not air-conditioned."

Tittle also sees problems with the facilities of the 196th District Court.

"I would modernize the courtroom so that it is functional, yet maintains its historic value," he said. "The 196th courtroom has never had permanent audio or visual equipment installed. There is no permanent monitor, television screen, document projector, or even a simple DVD player installed. Instead, a small television and DVD player are carted into the courtroom when needed."

Leonard's experience and community involvement extends beyond the courtroom.

"My leadership skills were developed in the U.S. Navy by attending OCS and serving as a weapons officer on a destroyer and at a training command," he said. "I have served on many civic boards and service clubs and as a church elder. As a judge, I have served eight out of 16 years as local administrative judge, as juvenile judge and 26 year member of the Juvenile Board, and as District Judge in charge of Adult Probation matters until the legislature removed this duty."

Tittle has unique qualifications that few Texas attorneys possess.

"I am the only candidate who is board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an accomplishment achieved by approximately one percent of Texas attorneys," he said. "I have prosecuted thousands of cases, making our community safer by getting thieves, drug dealers, rapists and murders off our streets. I am the only candidate who has written briefs to, and argued before, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court in Texas."

Both candidates urge A&M-Commerce students to vote in the Nov. 2 election.

"Voting is crucial for A&M-Commerce students," Tittle said. "Elections in Hunt County are often decided by less than a dozen votes, and Commerce students have made the difference. In May of this year, with your voter turnout, you made an important difference to the city by electing one of your students to the Commerce City Council. You can make that same difference in the race for Judge of the 196th Judicial District Court."

Likewise, Leonard strongly values the right to vote.

"I did not get to vote until I was 21," he said. "I was on my ship on the way to conduct gunfire support for our troops in Vietnam and got to mail my first ballot in. I was proud to vote and hope that students appreciate the right to vote at a younger age and in convenient forums, such as mobile and early voting."