Biography

Name: Felix Saldivar Jr.

Age: 51

Occupation: Attorney at Law

Website:

Residence Eastside

Relevant Experience

 

 

1.     What is the most important issue facing the court?

 

The most critical issue facing the 65^th Judicial District Court, under the current administration, is the inability of litigants to receive resolutions of their disputes in a timely manner. Court accessibility and hearings availability are the key components to the swift administration of justice. Consequently, when these two factors are lacking, litigants suffer irreparable harm. The 65^th Judicial District is a designated family law court. Individuals should be entitled to receive expedient and fair resolutions to issues which profoundly touch upon and permeate their family units. A New Vision for El Paso families is desperately needed in the 65^th District Court. With over 24 years of courtroom experience as a trial lawyer, Justice of the Peace, and prosecutor, I will bring the same dedication as a public servant to the 65^th district court.

 

2.     Is the local system of oversight sufficient to protect the public from unfair judges? If so, why, and if not, how would you change it?

          

I believe that our current local system adequately protects the public from unfair judges. Litigants have the remedy at the state level to address their disputes with the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct in Austin, Texas.

 

          

3.     What experience do you have with the law that will make you a good judge?

 

I formally served as an assistant county attorney, prosecuting misdemeanor cases and defending the County of El Paso in civil litigation. In my capacity as a prosecutor, I was both Chief D.W.I. prosecutor and trial team chief which provided me with the wealth of opportunities to gain court room experience.

 

As a former Justice of the Peace Precinct #4, I presided over numerous civil and misdemeanor criminal cases. I also served in the capacity of an administrative judge and as a criminal magistrate when individuals were arrested for both misdemeanor and felony cases. I developed a reputation for operating one of the most efficient dockets, allowing litigants to resolve their disputes in a timely manner.

 

I was also a visionary in that I developed and implemented the first comprehensive anti-truancy program in El Paso County, which benefited the YISD, SISD, and EPISD. I presided over 12,000 truancy cases in my 10 ½ years as a Justice of the Peace.

 

I have also been in private practice since 1988 handling family, criminal, and civil cases. I believe that my vast experience as a former prosecutor, judge and private practitioner qualifies me to be a good and fair judge.

 

4.     How do District Courts differ from County Courts?

 

The difference between District and County courts lies in the handling of criminal cases. District Courts are assigned felony cases, while County Courts deal with misdemeanor cases.

 

 

What is your position on the trend at the state level to either consolidate the county and district courts or to allow them to hear similar cases?

 

I am in favor of consolidating both the District and County courts to hear similar cases. The benefit of consolidation is that litigants will have more access to the courts and there is likelihood that cases can be heard in a more efficient fashion.

 

In El Paso, it seems like lawyers and judges know each other, something perhaps similar to most communities. What are some of the situations under which you think a judge ought to recuse themselves? Are the rules clear enough and if not, how would you change them?

 

           Judges have an obligation to be fair and impartial to all litigants. I believe that a judge should never preside over a case where personal interests or personal relationships could possibly cloud his/her judgment. When there is a doubt in the judge’s mind that he or she could be fair and impartial to all parties, regardless of the reason, that judge should disqualify himself or herself in the interest of justice.

 

5.     How would you support public defenders?

 

I believe that there is access to justice for everyone in most of our courts in El Paso, Texas. However, I strongly feel that there is no access to justice in the 65th District Court because litigants are denied the accessibility and the opportunity to obtain a hearing in a timely manner to resolve their disputes. I am committed to being a judge that will ensure fair access to justice for everyone to protect their constitutional rights.