Continuing with my series of Q&As with local judicial candidates, today we visit Fort Bend for a chat with Albert Hollan.
1. Who are you and what are you running for?Albert Hollan. I am the Democrat running for Judge, 268th District Court, Fort Bend County, Texas.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?This court hears both civil and criminal cases; however, it is not assigned family law cases. As a trial court of general jurisdiction, it can handle anything from a breach of contract to a capital murder case.
3. What are your qualifications for this job?I am a licensed attorney with 18 years of trial experience. I am Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I have an A/V rating (the highest peer-review rating) and have never been disciplined by the State Bar for any reason.
4. Why do you believe you would do a better job than the incumbent?The incumbent was publicly censured by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for willfully "failing to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary". Judicial Inquiry # 75, Order of Public Censure of Brady G. Elliott, Judge, 268th District Court. I have a clean record, will treat with respect all who appear in the courtroom, and will abide by the ethical code that judges must obey at all times.
5. Why is this race one we should care about?Public Censure of a sitting District Court judge is rare. Most judges would resign rather than have that stigma on their record. However, the incumbent did not resign. He is running for re-election. Though the incumbent had a Republican challenger in the March Primary, the majority of Republican voters ignored the Public Censure and voted to keep Brady Elliott on the bench. It is important that we replace judges who cannot follow the Canons of Ethics.
6. What else do we need to know?I am married, father of two, and have lived in Sugar Land since graduation from law school in 1987. This is not my first campaign. I was the Democratic candidate for the 400th District Court, Fort Bend, which was an open bench in 2004 until Gov. Rick Perry appointed my opponent 80 days before the election so he could run as the incumbent. I know that Fort Bend is perceived to be overwhelmingly Republican, but this county is changing. Democrats will be competitive in November.
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