Editor’s Note:
All Uvalde County candidates are afforded an opportunity to participate in a written interview.
Contact the Uvalde Hesperian to arrange for an interview.
Cindy Casburn Portraits Photos by Hattie Barham Photography 2021.
Questions submitted to the candidate
by the Uvalde Hesperian
What are your motivations in running for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2?
Casburn: My motivations to run for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 are two-fold. First, I have been asked by community members to run and have been overwhelmed with support in doing so.
Second, it is my calling. I have found that the judgeship in which I currently serve is my passion in life. It is an avenue where I can serve, protect and improve the community in which I live. Being Justice of the Peace, in addition to my current judgeship, will increase my reach into helping more people by settling disputes, adjudicating fairly and being the compassionate judge who responds in the moment of loss and crisis.
How would the justice of the peace office differ from being a municipal court judge?
Casburn: Title 2 of the Government Code, Chapter 27 for Justice Courts and Chapter 29 for Municipal Courts, prescribes subject and territorial jurisdiction to the courts.
Generally, Justice Court and Municipal Court jurisdictions have concurrent subject matter jurisdiction over Class C Misdemeanors (punishable by fines up to $500) and violations related to fires, safety, zoning, public health and sanitation for fines up to $2,000. Territorially, Municipal Courts adjudicate only within the city limits with the exception of magistration. Justice Courts cover their entire precinct, but for the Municipality, and also have magistration authority.
In the case of Sabinal, criminally, the Municipal Court processes Class C violations filed by the City of Sabinal Police Department, whereas, the Justice of the Peace processes Class C violations originating with the County and State Police (DPS, Game Wardens, Constables, Uvalde County Police, etc.). Additionally, Justices of the Peace perform inquests and can issue blood warrants, whereas Municipal Court Judges cannot.
In civil cases, the Justice of the Peace differs in that they additionally preside over civil cases with up to $20,000 in controversy and can settle landlord and tenant disputes as well as evictions. Municipal Court presides over Municipal Ordinance complaints with penalties less than $4,000.
Currently, as Municipal Court Judge, I have the authority to preside over hearings regarding the following issues: jail magistrat
ion, pre-trial, bench and jury trials, show cause hearings, indigence, mental health, dangerous dogs, code enforcement, stolen property, bond revocations and juvenile magistrate warnings. I am currently able to issue emergency protective orders, ignition interlock orders and community service orders. I also have the authority to review and issue search, inspection, seizure and arrest warrants.
Where did you grow up? It seems like you’ve settled here and set roots down in Sabinal. Did you consider moving to another area of Texas or another part of the County? What kept you here?
Casburn: I was born in 1970 on the Fort Rucker Army Base in Alabama. My father is a Texas A&M graduate, Vietnam veteran and enjoyed an honorable and successful career within the U.S. Army and is now retired in Arizona. My mother worked in various law enforcement related vocations and retired from the City of San Antonio Police Department.
After my parents divorce and mother’s remarriage, we moved from Houston to Bandera in 1978, shortly before the big flood, when I was in the third grade. My stepfather was an undercover DPS Narcotics Agent who left his profession and transitioned into the concrete business to care for his new family. I have one brother and several step siblings. We were raised by parents who expected excellence. We trained our own horses to ride in the youth rodeo, worked within the family businesses and participated in numerous volunteer, civic and extracurricular activities in addition to excelling educationally.
I graduated with honors from Bandera High School at the age of 17, with a scholarship to UT San Antonio, graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and continued on to graduate school to achieve an M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration).
Sabinal became home in 2007, when in search of land f
or our horses without rocks! Sabinal was the perfect small town in which to raise children and I continue to love, volunteer and help my community reach its highest potential. Even though I could venture out into larger opportunities, Sabinal is my home, it is where I want to utilize my abilities to help, improve and steward. I love it here,
What do you like/love about this area? What are some of your hobbies or interests apart from your work as an adjunct professor and Municipal Court Judge?
Casburn: I love the rivers in our River Region, as well as the outdoor activities like hiking and hunting that are main attractions in Uvalde County. I enjoy paddle boarding, fishing, reading, writing and researching. I enjoy freelance writing for Texas Lifestyle Magazine about various events and venues I visit. Event planning has always been in my toolbox and I enjoy coordinating and officiating weddings.
My greatest loves, though, are my children and my most fulfilling role has been one of being a mother. Caleb, my youngest son with special needs, is the light of my life. I beam with pride over Quinton and Colleen and relish in seeing them progress in life and all of their incredible accomplishments. When they come home to visit from their busy adult lives, I feel on top of the world!
By your campaign announcement article in the Uvalde Leader-News, you stated “Everyone deserves to be heard” You went on to say (paraphrased) how it’s important to listen to what is said, Also while it’s important for a judge to be impartial concerning the law but consider the human element. What experiences, values and life’s lessons shaped your view concerning your judicial perspective?
Casburn: Oddly, I have received thank you notes from convicted defendants, because they were heard and treated fairly. I am known for creative conditions, meaning, not just imposing a fine for a violation, but looking for opportunities to benefit the defendant and community for their greatest good. Although most of the cases adjudicated in Municipal Court are traffic violations, I have had many opportunities to help people through their personal issues with resources to help them find remedies and programs to curb domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental illness.
In order to be a good leader, one must surround themselves with great mentors in the field. In my treasure chest of mentors is a retired Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, former County Judge, and several current local judges among other local government leaders. All have taught, encouraged, led and advised me over the years that I have served as Municipal Court Judge and I am eternally grateful.
Shockingly, a dear friend, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Steve Hilbig, once told me that he wished that he could have served as a Municipal Court Judge. I was taken aback by that comment from a man with a lengthy and successful legal and judicial career and wondered why he would have wanted to hold a lower court judgeship. He said that a Municipal Court Judge has the ability to intercept a young person or someone in the beginning stages of trouble and redirect them to a positive outcome. He advised me to listen, above all, and be tough and engaged, especially with juveniles, to let them know that they are heard and have someone who is there to help them navigate their situation in a positive manner, which includes consequences, but with the ultimate goal of redirecting a life from one of potential harm to one of productivity and promise. I have many, many stories, but I will tell just one.
One such defendant was elderly and disabled. He had repeat public intoxication violations in my court and was on an infinite payment plan from my predecessor. He would dutifully come in monthly to pay $50 out of his disability check as he filled his coffee cup in the break room, while still receiving more public intoxication charges. Obviously the fines weren’t a deterrent. I converted his fines to community service and required him to come to court and shred old files for a few hours per day. This took months to satisfy. The first day he showed up scraggly and unclean, then as the weeks progressed, he was on time, every day, showing up, doing his work. By the end, when his conditions were met, he was clean-shaven, showered, smiling and never had another public intoxication charge in my court. He just needed structure and purpose. He needed someone who saw his potential and treated him like a valued human. He still came by for coffee and a quick visit even after his cases were completed. I considered him a friend and was sad to hear when he passed away.
I cannot count how many defendants I have spoken to about their value and potential on this planet, that perhaps they have never heard about themselves. Some tear up, some shrug it off, but it is a seed that should be planted in all of us. I have done more ministry from the bench in caring for people than I have in thirty years in church. I have heard many sad things and have witnessed lots of happy outcomes, as well as disheartening derailments. The judgeship is truly a calling that I have a passion to perform as my contribution to society.
What do you see are opportunities where Justice of the Peace can make a positive difference in our community?
Casburn: A Justice of the Peace has plenty of opportunities to make a positive difference in our community. As Municipal Court Judge, I have volunteered at the school to preside over their annual mock trial. This engages the court with the school and fosters relationships among administration, teachers, students and the court, as well as educates students on court process and their Constitutional rights. If elected, I plan to extend this curriculum and involvement to Knippa ISD as well. I have also served on the Sabinal ISD District Improvement Team and have forwarded large trade training and school security grant opportunities that have been successfully obtained.
I have been afforded opportunities to serve on boards such as the SWTJC Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board and Law Enforcement Academy Board. Being able to translate experiences I have had in the judgeship to improve these programs has proved to be valuable, as they continue to invite my input.
Ultimately, developing relationships in the community is of the most value. Listening, being impartial, helping settle disputes, making the right magistrate and judicial decisions to protect the community and being a trusted and compassionate Justice of the Peace who is called when a loved one passes is the kind of Judge I want to be.
Beyond the courtroom and individual cases, as a community leader, can a justice of the peace work at the community level to address family problems, mental illness and poverty?
Casburn: This is a great question. Justice Courts are not Family Courts, but they do skirt on issues within the family, such as domestic violence, juvenile violations which may be rooted in family problems, as well as early drug and alcohol use. Questioning and listening typically brings out the issues which allows me to better order conditions to help in those situations.
On several occasions in Municipal Court and on magistrate duty, I have had defendants who clearly had mental illness issues in need of addressing. I have ordered their evaluation by the appropriate entities in order to create a plan for their care, recovery or as a continued resource to fill their needs. It is a community service for these individuals to receive services that are put in place for their benefit, be it medications, evaluation, healthcare or housing, that they require to be personally and societally productive and proficient.
Please feel free to add any additional information you’d like. If you think a question could be rephrased please feel free to do that also.
Casburn: It would be an honor and privilege to serve as Justice of the Peace of Precinct 2 and I ask you for your vote. Early voting is from February 14th through the 25th at the Willie de Leon Civic Center. Primary Election Day is March 1st at the Scout House in Sabinal and Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Knippa.
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