Biography

 

Name:  Israel “Izzy” Parra

Age: 46

Occupation: Attorney

Residence: Northeast

 

Relevant Experience:

 

I began working for Texas Rural Legal Aide in January 1990. Here I assisted people with various problems including bankruptcy, divorce and landlord tenant issues.

 

I worked at the El Paso District Attorney’s Office from September 1990 to September 1992. I was first assigned to the Jail Magistrate’s Court and received a wealth of experience working with Judge Scott Segal.

 

While at the District Attorney’s Office, I was assigned to the 65th Judicial District Court and then to the Rape and Child Abuse Unit. The experience trying cases while in the Unit turned to be of most value to me. While at the District Attorney’s Office I tried approximately 40 cases.

 

I then worked for Zavaleta & Reyes Legal Clinic handling worker’s compensation cases. Here I represented claimants in over 100 contested cases hearings.

 

I then became a hearing officer for the Texas Worker’s Compensation Commission. I led the state in issuing decisions 5 of the 6 years of my tenure. I issued well over 1500 decisions.

 

I have been in private practice from 1999 to the present. My practice is concentrated in criminal law.

 

Issues

 

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

 

Since this is a brand new Court, the most important issue is selecting the proper Judge. The voters must select a person with experience, knowledge and temperament to make difficult decisions. Someone with vision and work ethic. I have the all the qualities necessary to fulfill the role.

 

2. Is the local system of oversight sufficient to protect the public from unfair judges?

 

I think that an unfair judge would be someone who does not give fair jurisprudence to the parties before him. In that respect, I think that the State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the proper venue to handle any complaints and they do have procedures to handle such problems.

 

The only thing that I would change is to make the Commission more accessible to the public. I am not sure that the public is aware of the steps necessary to file a complaint.

 

 

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

 

I have a well rounded legal career. All the areas of law that I have practiced have taught me something useful. I have substantial trial experience and I have sat as a hearing officer before. Sitting as a hearing officer has given me the opportunity to sit and listen carefully to both sides of the story and evaluating the evidence carefully. This is quite unique.

 

4. How do County Courts differ from District Courts?

 

There are some County Courts that handle both civil and criminal matters. County Criminal Court Number 4 will handle only criminal cases involving misdemeanor cases. Some of the misdemeanors include assault, family violence, driving while intoxicated, possession of marihuana, theft, driving while license suspended and criminal mischief.

 

The period of incarceration and the fine would be two distinguishing factors between County Criminal Courts and District Courts. In a misdemeanor case the range of punishment can run from 3 days up to 180 days in jail if it is a class “B” misdemeanor and can include a fine up to $2,000.00. In a class “A” misdemeanor the range of punishment can be up to a year in jail and can include a fine up to $4,000.00

 

There are also District Courts that handle both civil and criminal matters. District Courts that handle criminal matters have jurisdiction over felony offenses. Depending on the degree of felony then the range of punishment will also vary. In a first degree felony, for example, the range of punishment can be from 5 years to 99 years and or life imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000.00.

 

5. 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?

 

In a small county this the consolidation would probably work well. However, I do not think it would work in a county the size of El Paso. System of assigning misdemeanor cases to County Courts and felony cases to District Court works well.

           

6. 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?

 

A judge should recuse himself at any point where he can foresee any potential conflict of interest. The rules are very clear on this but the judge should also exercise extreme precaution in order to preserve the integrity of the process.

 

7. Is there fair access to justice for everyone? How would you improve access; specifically, how would you support public defenders?

 

All of my literature includes the line “Justice is open to everyone”. I believe that every individual, from the defendant to the victim, should be guaranteed             “Justice”. By giving everyone that comes before the Court a fair and impartial hearing, you have taken a big step in providing justice.

 

I think public defenders play an essential role in the justice system. El Paso has one of the best Public Defender’s Offices in Texas. I would support them by providing fair and impartial hearings to their clients.