Candidates speak up about coming election

The East Texan interviewed Joe Leonard and Steve Tittle, candidates for 196th District Court Judge. Below are their unedited responses to our questions.

Joe Leonard

Why are you the best choice for judge for the 196th District Court?

I am best qualified because I am the only candidate with judicial experience.  A judge must make hard decisions every day and be a leader.  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.  I have served on many civic boards and service clubs and as a church elder.  As a judge I have served 8 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.  My resume is at Reelectjoeleonard.com.

As the incumbent, do you intend on operating in much the same way you have in the past if you're re-elected? If not, what would you change?

Yes, my policies and procedures are well accepted and based on experience.  The court runs smoothly without long delays for hearings.

What do you feel that you've accomplished in your most recent term as judge?

You may see television or newspaper ads for Crimestoppers with the photo of an absconder from probation.  I originated this cooperative effort between Crimestopper and Adult Probation to get these criminals arrested and back in court. 

Recent legislation gave the two County Courts at Law concurrent jurisdiction with the two District Courts.  As Administrative Judge I enacted an Order for Docket Management to govern Criminal, Family Law and Civil Cases in Hunt County.

What's something you think that most people don't understand about your office?

I do not create laws or have any political agenda.  I follow the law and am impartial.  As a court of general jurisdiction, the District Court can handle any cases from capital murder to multimillion dollar lawsuits. 

Why should A&M-Commerce students vote in the upcoming election, particularly the one for your office?

I did not get to vote until I was 21.  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.  The District Court is very important because of its general jurisdiction and I am the best man for the job. 

Steve Tittle

Why are you the best candidate for judge for the 196^th District Court?

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.  I have over ten years experience in criminal and civil law, the two areas a district judge oversees.  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.  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.  I served as City Attorney for a local municipality; advocated for injured children in civil cases; and represented countless parents in family law matters.

If elected, what changes would you seek to implement in the 196th?

I would improve court scheduling and modernize the courtroom.  First, I would separate the criminal and civil hearings each day, which are currently set simultaneously.  This causes children, who are waiting to be adopted, to frequently be in the same courtroom as violent criminals; and often wastes time and money when people in family cases have to wait for criminal matters to conclude.  Jury trials need to be better coordinated so that potential jurors do not wait for hours in hallways that are not air-conditioned.  Second, I would modernize the courtroom so that it is functional, yet maintains its historic value.  Unlike the more modern courtrooms in the courthouse, the 196^th 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.

On your website, you mention your role in Hunt County capital murder trials – o why is this issue so important to you?

Capital murders are among the most serious crimes in our county.  A capital murderer causes life-long, irreparable injury to the victim's family.  As a prosecutor, I represent victims' voices in court while obtaining justice.  I have tried many, and they require exceptional legal knowledge and skill, as well as, a tremendous amount of compassion for the victim and the family of the victim.  In 2007, I prosecuted and obtained the death sentence for a Commerce defendant who shot and killed a tremendously popular Commerce Code Enforcement Officer.  I then successfully argued against his appeals at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.  Earlier this month, that court denied his appeal.  That case touched the lives of hundreds of Commerce citizens.

Also on your website, you mention "achieve(ing) a conviction for endangerment to a child by using the term ‘an individual' to include a fetus." Discuss this particular topic and why achieving this term is important?

In 2003, the Texas Legislature made a fundamental change to the definition of "an individual" for criminal law purposes.  Previously, the definition of "an individual" did not include an unborn child, but now it does.  Weeks after the change, a man here in Hunt County assaulted his pregnant girlfriend by punching her in the stomach.  He was charged not only with the misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend, but also with a felony for endangering a child.  I prosecuted him for the felony, and I obtained the first conviction using the new definition. 

Why is it important for A&M-Commerce students to vote in the upcoming elections, particularly the race you're in?

Voting is crucial for A&M-Commerce students!  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 196^th Judicial District Court.  There is a large generational disparity between my opponent and myself which causes us to view the world differently.  It is time for our generation to step up and improve our government and society.  We have to use our energy, enthusiasm, and innovative ideas to make things better.  Your and my daily communications have advanced through email; texting; facebook; and twitter, enabling us to send and receive information about issues we view most important.  I ask that you demand that our courts progress in the same manner.  November 2^nd is your opportunity.  www.stevetittle.com