Friends,

Justice continues to be served in the 248th District Court! We just celebrated six months on the bench, and the court is in full swing!

Cases and Trials

Currently, there are approximately 545 cases pending on our docket. The new Docket Management System was implemented, and we are working efficiently and effectively. Cases are disposed daily through plea bargain, trial, or dismissal. For the trials, we have hosted hundreds of citizens who appeared at jury duty. The good use of their time is our priority. Jurors have consistently expressed that jury duty was a more pleasant experience than they had anticipated. We continue to work toward our goal of justice in every single case, every single day.

In the Community

It was a pleasure to speak at the PEO meeting in River Oaks. Meeting the PEO members brought back great memories of my grandmother, who was a PEO member in Rockport, Texas. It was an honor to talk to this group of amazing women, and to support their interest in scholarships for young women leaders. Many thanks to Jane Larkin for the invitation.

It was also a privilege to speak at the Exchange Club-Downtown, a group of which I am a member. About 30 years ago, the Exchange Club-Downtown founded Crime Stoppers, the nonprofit organization that I lead from 2006 until I was appointed to the bench. There are many Exchange Clubs in our community, and all are committed to public service, but it was a special honor to speak at the Downtown club.

Finally, I was excited to be invited by Earl Lairson to speak at the Northwest Business Executives Roundtable. The men and women in this group are engaged in their community through work, politics, and community service. Their dedication to community safety through a strong criminal justice system is greatly appreciated.

Courthouse Updates

Great news! I am honored to have been chosen to participate in the Drug Court Program, formally known as STAR Court. I will be the Judge of STAR Court 1, filling the very large shoes of Justice Jeff Brown who was recently appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas. I look forward to the Monday dockets, at which cases are reviewed and recommendations are made. Working with the prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation department, treatment providers, and court staff, our goals will be the success of the cases and the integrity of the program. It will be a highlight of my judicial career to work in this important program.

Thank you, again, for your interest in the 248th District Court! Please forward our newsletter to a friend who might also be interested. We are working for you every day to see that justice is done! We appreciate your partnership for a safe community and justice in our courts.

Best regards,

Judge Katherine Cabaniss

Posted by Katherine Cabaniss on Thursday, November 7th, 2013 @ 11:49AM
Categories: Blog Posts