NPT Voter Guide 2008

District Court Questions

Biography

Name: Mary Anne Bramblett

Age: 54

Occupation: District Judge

Website:

Residence: East Side

Relevant Experience (for print, will be edited 100 words max):

I have been a District Judge for the past 19 years, handling civil and criminal cases. Prior to that, I was an Assistant County Attorney, handling juvenile criminal cases (both felony and misdemeanor), adult misdemeanor cases and represented the County in civil litigation at federal and state levels. While in the County Attorney’s Office, I assisted in organizing the Domestic Violence Unit. I was licensed as an attorney in 1981. I attended La Universidad de Las Americas for 3 years, obtained my B.A. at Southwest Texas State University in 1979.

Issues (for print, will be edited to 200 words or less) 

1. What is the most important issue facing the court? Providing a forum whereby all citizens and participants receive equal and fair treatment. That is the only way that people will receive justice in the courts. It is also important that all are treated with respect. 

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? The public must be aware of our judges and vote intelligently in their races.

3. What experience do you have with the law that will make you a good judge? I have been a district judge for 19 years. I was selected Outstanding Judge of the Year in 2003 by the State Bar of Texas, Criminal Section. Appointed to the Judicial Advisory Council by the Supreme Court of Texas (elected Vice-Chair in 2000), which provides testimony to the Legislature and to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice regarding proposed legislation in the criminal justice system. Appointed to the Criminal Justice Legislative Committee. I was awarded the first ever Volunteer Mother of the Year Award in 2003 for community involvement with the El Paso City Parks and Recreation Dept.

4. How do District Courts differ from County Courts? District Courts can handle felony criminal cases and substantially all civil cases. County Courts at Law handle misdemeanor criminal cases and, in El Paso, most types of civil cases.

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 El Paso, both courts are allowed by special legislation to hear civil cases. I believe the separation of felony cases and misdemeanor cases to the respective courts is an efficient use of our resources. 

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? I do not accept campaign contributions from attorneys. This has allowed me to maintain fairness and objectivity in the cases before me. 

7. Is there fair access to justice for everyone? How would you improve access; specifically, how would you support public defenders? I am ever mindful in the courtroom of the disparity that can occur when a participant is indigent and may not be able to hire the “best of attorneys.” I do all the law allows to ensure that they receive fairness and justice in my courtroom. I have found that the public defenders in El Paso County are of exceptional quality and I appoint them regularly to cases in my court.