TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
That has been my work in Bowie County: building serious cases with law enforcement, presenting them to juries, and securing justice for the citizens of our community. That is how the elected district
That means knowing what evidence matters, how to present it clearly, and how to protect the integrity of the process so the truth can be heard. There are currently around 100 cases of child sexual abuse pending in Bowie County. With the current number of felony prosecutors we have actively trying cases, the 202nd District Court can reasonably conduct about 15 major jury trials each year. That means those 100 cases represent years of backlog. That’s not a statistic—that’s 100 children waiting. To handle as many of those cases as quickly as possible, I plan to continue to personally prosecute those offenders. That’s where an experienced prosecutor needs to be—not delegating these cases, but handling them. My philosophy is that anyone who harms a child should be held fully accountable under the law. That includes seeking sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crime and the lasting harm done to the victim. At the same time, these cases require sensitivity and care, because many child victims are dealing with fear, confusion, and trauma. There are times when the legal outcome does not reflect the full harm that was done, often because a child is too traumatized to testify or participate in a trial. In those situations, my responsibility is still to do everything the law allows to protect that child and to pursue the strongest possible case with the evidence available. Protecting children means combining strong prosecution with compassion and respect for the victim. That has been the heart of my work for years, and it is the standard I will continue to bring as district attorney. Why should voters trust you with this office? This office is not just a title. It is a working job with real consequences for real people. Every decision made here affects victims, families, and the safety of our community. That is why experience, judgment, and willingness to do the hard work matter. I have built complex criminal cases, tried serious felonies, worked side by side with law enforcement throughout my career, and answered to the public when difficult cases demanded it. I have accepted the risks and pressures that come with this work because protecting this community requires it. Leadership here means more than managing a schedule or signing off on paperwork. It means being accountable, being willing to step into difficult cases, and setting a standard for the entire office through doing the hard work. That is the approach I have brought to this job, and I will continue to bring it as district attorney. The voters of Bowie County deserve a district attorney who will be in the courtroom, not just in the office. Someone who knows these cases because they have tried them. Someone who understands what it takes to get justice for victims because they have done it. That is what I offer—not promises, but a proven record of showing up and doing the work.
attorney should serve the people of Bowie County. How would you work with law enforcement, judges, defense attorneys, and victim advocates to make the office of district attorney more effective?
The district attorney’s office is the hub of the entire criminal justice system. When communication is strong and expectations are clear, cases move more smoothly, courts run more efficiently, and outcomes are more reliable for everyone involved. As district attorney, I will continue to personally handle serious felony cases. Leadership matters, and the standard set by the DA affects the entire office. When the elected DA is in the courtroom handling complex cases, it raises the level of preparation, professionalism, and accountability across the system. With law enforcement, that means staying closely connected to cases from the beginning. When investigators have timely legal guidance, cases are stronger, and crime victims get the outcomes they deserve. I have earned the trust and support of law enforcement across this county, and that bond helps us carry out our mission. With judges and court staff, it means running an organized, prepared, and professional office. When prosecutors are ready for hearings and trials, dockets move more efficiently, and serious cases are less likely to be pushed back again and again. With defense attorneys, it means dealing in good faith. A fair system depends on cases being tested, and strong cases should be able to stand up to that scrutiny. When cases are well prepared and presented clearly, they are resolved more quickly and more justly. Victims’ advocates are also essential to making the system work. When victims are informed, supported, and prepared for the court process, they are better able to participate, which strengthens cases and reduces delays. No one should feel lost or ignored while waiting for justice. For me, making this office more effective means being present, engaged, and accountable in the work itself. That is how I have practiced for 15 years in Bowie County, and that is how I will continue to lead.
How do you approach cases involving crimes against children? What is your philosophy on prosecution and sentencing in those cases?
Crimes against children are among the most serious and complex cases a prosecutor can handle. They require care, experience, and an understanding of both the law and the trauma involved. As a prosecutor, a mother, and someone who has spent years working with CASA and the Children’s Advocacy Center, I have seen how deeply these crimes affect children and the people who love them. These cases are different from other felonies. The laws, the evidence, and the way testimony is handled are more complex, and the stakes are incredibly high. After years of personally handling these cases, I understand what it takes to build them in a way that is both fair and strong enough to stand up in front of a jury.
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