Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates who will be on the ballot in Harris County. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates.
1. Who are you, and what are you running for?
I am Peter René, I live in the Westchase District in West Houston and I am running for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 1. I am a longtime Houstonian and a longtime resident of Precinct 5, residing and voting in the Westchase District of West Houston since 1997. I attended then, Johnson Jr. High School, and graduated from Westbury Sr. High School in Southwest Houston.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
The Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 1 court have jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters as well as a number of other duties that are not judicial in nature. This court also has jurisdiction in, but not limited to:
The Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 1 does not have jurisdiction of suits for divorce, suits to recover damages for slander or defamation, suits for title to land, or suits to enforce a lien on land.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I am running for this particular bench, first and foremost, to promote Fairness, Dignity and Respect to the people of Harris County who appear before this court. It is the duty of the Judge to make sure that: 1) fairness is apparent in every case before the court; 2) that the individual leaves the court with dignity and 3) that they were treated with respect. Anything short of this could create a mistrust of our legal system. We have a very diverse population in Precinct 5; so, justice in this court must be rendered regardless of race, creed or color. Therefore I will make it a high priority the treat everyone appearing before this bench fairly without regard to their race or background.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I believe that everyone appearing before this bench should be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. My management, organizational, leadership skills and my strong desire to promote justice, fairly, gives me the qualifications for this bench and as such, I will demonstrate impartiality, without regard to race or gender; I will be courteous and attentive towards the fine women and men standing before the court; I will follow the law, promote a professional court atmosphere, I will rule decisively and timely, and will work hard everyday and will be prepared to handle the court's docket and case load. I have worked in many diverse sectors of our economy: from working in the construction sector as a laborer to working at one of the largest law firms in Houston, and can identity with the people of Precinct 5, whether they contribute to our economy as a member of the working class or wage earners.
5. Why is this race important?
This race is important because of how the people of Harris County view our legal system, which can be argued, is not a positive one. When individuals are not treated fairly when appearing before the court, they may leave the court feeling dejected, sometimes confused, and at times, disillusioned. And so, we may have one more individual in Harris County walking out of a court of law, questioning our legal system, and perhaps seeing our legal system as unfair. Regardless of if the case was decided for or against the person appearing before the court, if I am elected, I will make sure that everyone before my court is treated fairly, with the hope that they leave my court with a positive view of our legal system.
6. Why should people vote for you in November?
People should vote for me in November because I will work tirelessly to INSURE that everyone appearing before my court leaves the court feeling that justice was fairly administered in their case. Whether the case was decided for or against the individual, my ultimate goal as Justice of the Peace will be to uphold the law, administer the laws with fairness, treat the individual before me fairly and show the highest level of respect to the individual standing before the bench. It is my hope, as Justice of the Peace, that everyone leaving my court will feel that they were treated fairly.
PREVIOUSLY:
Dion Ramos, 55th Civil Judicial District Court.
Shawna Reagin, 176th District Criminal Court.
Al Bennett, 61st Civil Judicial District Court.
Judge Jim Jordan, Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
Mike Miller, 11th Civil Judicial District Court.
Andres Pereira, 190th Civil Judicial District Court.
Steven Kirkland, 215th Civil Judicial District Court.
Martin Siegel, Court of Appeals, 14th District, Place 7.
Randy Roll, 179th District Criminal Court.
Leslie Taylor, Court of Appeals, First District, Place 5.
Kyle Carter, 125th Civil Judicial District Court.
Hazel Jones, 338th District Criminal Court.
Bert Moser, Court of Appeals, 14th District, Place 4.