My mother put herself through college. I saw her struggle mightily as a single mom trying to make her and my life better. She worked hard, made ends meet, and took advantage of every opportunity put before her. When I was nine, we moved to Harris County from a small town in Wyoming when she began what would eventually be a 31 year career with Exxon. Harris County then, like now, was a land of opportunity. This community embraced us. I owe Harris County much and every day I seek to return the embrace by serving our great County.
Being a justice court judge truly is a dream job for me. Many times my family and I would be next door getting books at Barbara Bush Library or playing behind the courthouse at Collins Park. I’d often look over to the courthouse and tell my wife Priscilla, “If Judge Adams ever decided to retire, that would be an amazing place to work and to serve.” Sadly, Judge Adams lost his battle with cancer and was called home.
Like Judge Adams, I have a heart to help young kids who are on the razor’s edge of life. Given the right encouragement, structure, and discipline, a young man or woman can be directed down a path toward a fruitful life. As a former prosecutor, including time spent as a juvenile prosecutor, I have seen the tragic consequences when nothing is done. The consequences of not trying to save each kid are too great. Judge Adams understood that and five Eagle Scouts came out of his court. I will continue his legacy of helping get those kids off of the razor’s edge of life.
I also have a heart to give people faith in the justice system. The justice courts truly are “The Peoples’ Courts.” Nearly 90% of people in our community will come to this court- whether as jurors, to handle a ticket, to deal with a child in trouble, or to resolve a dispute with a neighbor. It’s often one’s only exposure to the justice system. People need to have faith in their justice system. Sadly, we’ve seen what can happen in this country when they don’t trust it. The justice courtstruly provide the foundation of that trust.
In large population centers, the justice courtshave become very complex, especially in light of the new rules of civil procedure recently mandated by the Texas Supreme Court. Justice court judges have to be familiar with the Penal Code, Property Code, Transportation Code, Government Code, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, bankruptcy law, and probate law.
I believe my extensive experience in both criminal and civil law uniquely suits me to this position. Having served as a Harris County Assistant District Attorney, I prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases, including misdemeanors, juvenile cases, and felonies. I also managed numerous dockets in the Harris County Justice Courts including traffic violations, truancy, theft, and drug crimes.
In civil matters, I handle all phases of litigation ranging from initial pleadings, motions, and discovery to mediations and trial. These matters have included employment disputes, contracts, debt claims, property disputes, and landlord-tenant actions. My experience in each of these areas will provide me with a strong background to handle the variety of case types in Justice Court.
Finally, there are a lot of people in our area and it’s growing rapidly, but it still feels like a small town. And this is our town’s courthouse. My family can often be found at Barbara Bush Library next door. Our daughters both play soccer at Meyer Park just up the street. I run every week along Faulkey Gulley trail. This is our home. I will do everything I can to make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family. My home and heart are right here in Precinct Four.
As JP, I hope to honor the memory of my mother, the memory of Judge Adams, and the people of our precinct.
Lincoln Goodwin
JP, Pct. 4, Place 1
