441st District judges questionnaire

Jeff Robnett, candidate for 441st Judicial District Court. Jeff Robnett, candidate for 441st Judicial District Court. Photo: James Durbin Photo: James Durbin Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 441st District judges questionnaire 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Questionnaire

Full name. Age. Please describe your family, including number of times you have been married. State educational degrees which you have obtained and from where? State when you licensed as an attorney? Years lived in Midland County after becoming a licensed attorney? What areas of law is the concentration your law practice typically? Have you ever been subjected to discipline by the State Bar of Texas? If so, what was the discipline and why? Have you ever been accused of, indicted for or convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude? If so, what was the offense and how was it disposed of? Have you ever had a lien filed against you and why? If so, has it been fully paid? State how many criminal jury trials and how man civil jury trials you have tried to a verdict. What do regard to be your duties as a district judge? What do think the temperament of a judge should be? What in your personality, if anything, do think you would have to aware of? What is the most important aspect of handling a docket of criminal and civil cases for a judge? What is your philosophy regarding interpretation of the law? Is there ever a situation when a judge should create new law to address a social injustice or inequity? How many civil cases have you handled that required more than five pretrial hearings before the potential trial court? Has a Court of Appeals ever found you to be ineffective during trial? Have you ever had a malpractice claim filed against you that was either settled or taken to trial? Please describe in detail what experience you have in managing dockets? What community service, including professional associations, have you been involved in?

Republican

Jeff Robnett

1. Jeffrey Todd Robnett

2. Age 56

3. Married to Dila Robnett; 9 children–6 adopted; Ella, 14 months; Jett, 15 months; Jace, 3 years; Storrie, 4; Lilly, 7; Colt, 9; Oliver, 13; Sara, 27. One child from previous marriage, Brenna, 17

4. High School Degree—Midland High School, Midland, Texas, 1980; Undergraduate degree—Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 1984; Law degree—Texas Tech School of Law, 1988.

5. December 1988 law school graduation date; May 5, 1989 license date; State of Texas; Federal/Texas—Western and Northern Districts.

6. 30 years lived in Midland

7. Criminal (including juvenile), Family, Civil (plaintiff and defendant, including oil and gas law), Probate.

8. 2000, I reported a client’s (a sitting judge) unlawful actions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was the subject of a grievance by the client. I successfully appealed this matter to the Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals.

2006, I paid a fine of $800 after I was accused of failure to open a proper bank account after a lawyer friend of mine, who was using a vacant office in my office suite, was critically injured in an automobile wreck and was no longer able to practice law.

9. I have no arrest or criminal record.

10. In 2000, I had a lien relating to 941 payroll taxes due to paying the incorrect amount of payroll taxes. This lien was released upon payment of the proper amount.

11. I have tried between 5 and 10 jury trials per year--criminal (including juvenile), family and civil jury trials in my 30-year career.

12. Respect the law and the legal system. Ensure that the law is applied properly in each case. Never legislate from the bench. Always be fair, just and impartial. Embody a judicial temperament and demeanor characterized by respect for all participants in the judicial system, even people who some may say do not deserve such respect as a result of their actions and behavior. Move the docket efficiently and keep the Court’s business organized. Be a cheerleader to the public regarding the judicial system we are so fortunate to have in Texas and in America—emphasis on those citizens who ignore jury duty.

13. See no. 12 above. In addition, I think my personality is well suited to be the 441st District Judge. I am calm, deliberate, organized and dedicated to whatever task is at hand. I like people, practice the Golden Rule and think a good sense of humor is essential to success, especially in difficult situations, where appropriate, of course.

14. Don’t be lazy. Rule quickly–take matters under advisement as seldom as possible and only when absolutely necessary. Be on time, especially relating to jury trials. Make sure attorneys and court participants know what is expected of them in any given situation. Make sure court orders are timely submitted after a judicial decision is made.

15. Judges should ensure the proper application of and adherence to the law, not make the law. 99 percent of the time the various courts of Appeal, including the highest courts in Texas (or the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals or U.S. Supreme Court in the area of constitutional law) have interpreted the law. It is the duty of a Texas District Court Judge to respect and embrace the concept of stare decisis — that is to ensure that the law is enforced correctly and consistently.

16. There may be instances where a newly passed law hasn’t been tested in the trenches of trial courts or interpreted by higher courts--like same sex marriages–I am trying a case of first impression in this area of the law Feb. 21. In the absence of knowing how a new law is to be enforced, there is always legislative intent analysis. A Texas District Court judge’s role, however, in my opinion, is not to create law in any instance, even where an injustice or inequity exists—this is the province of the Texas legislature.

17. Very few civil case require this many pretrial hearings – the approximate average for my practice is three pretrial hearings. I estimate the applicable number with three pretrial hearings to be 150 to 200 cases over 30 years. Keever vs. Ellis County State Bank is an exception to this – my recollection is seven pretrial hearings on this matter, which is a reported case.

18. I have never been found to be ineffective during representation of a client or during a trial. I have never had a malpractice claim or lawsuit filed against me.

19. As a trial lawyer for 30 years, probably 60 percent of my work is managing a docket. After a criminal case reaches a first trial setting, that case is subject to trial every week thereafter. Plus newer cases are continually reaching a first scheduled trial date. In short, effective case/docket management is vital to a successful trial practice for me as a trial lawyer. Always being prepared and continuing to represent new clients and run a business is the ultimate test of a trial lawyer’s docket management success. I have filed less than 10 motions for continuance in my 30 years because I always work hard to be prepared and announce “READY” when my cases are called to trial. You can confirm this fact be asking our Midland district judges about me.

20. I served on the MISD school board. Most of, if not all of my extracurricular activity and service involves my childrens’ activities–remember seven of nine Robnett children ranging in age from 15 months to 13 years old live at home. Sports, cheer practice, and church-related activities are a priority outside of school and consume most of my time. I am also active in college-related events such as the Princeton Club and Princeton alumni events..

In summary, I bring to this campaign and will bring to the 441st bench the lessons and practices of my lifetime. This is all I can bring. I am the product of Midland Schools, Princeton University and Texas Tech Law School. At Tech, I was ranked second in my law school class and received the Judge Meade F. Griffin Outstanding Law School Student Award as awarded by the law school faculty. I am a father who is raising nine children along with my wife, Dila. I am a Christian who is reliant upon the Lord and not afraid to tell people of my beliefsystem. I am also not afraid of admitting my weaknesses. You will never know me from simply reading these responses, seeing a campaign sign or watching/hearing a television or radio political ad. I urge you to seek out the judges and lawyers of Midland and ask them about me and all the candidates for the 441st. And don’t stop there — seek out the clerks in the Midland County and District Clerks offices. Seek out law enforcement personnel I have questioned during trials. Seek out the bailiffs and the courthouse security officers. In fact, seek all the information you can before you decide who you will support in this campaign. I am confident that you will discover that I am the right choice and am ready to serve as the next 441st District Judge. My work number is 4326826140 and my cell number is 4326643643 if you desire to speak with me directly. Thank you for your support.

Democrat

Sara Ruth Spector

1. Sara Ruth Spector

2. Age. 53

3. My parents are both deceased. My father was a psychiatrist and my mother worked as a model and the theater industry prior to marrying my dad. I have 2 brothers. One is an engineer for NASA and the other is a physician in Houston.

4. I graduated Richfield High School in Waco, Texas. I graduated the University of Texas in Austin, Texas with a degree in government with special honors in 1986. I graduated the University of Texas Law School in 1989 where I was chosen by faculty to be one of 20 students out of a class of 500 to teach legal research and writing to first year law students.

5. November 1989.

6. 1990-1999 and 2016- present.

7. I worked as a civil and criminal practitioner. I worked as a regional attorney for Department of Protective and Regulatory Services for 5 years in which I practiced elder law, child protection law, employment law, immigration law and administrative law. I worked as Assistant District Attorney for ten years representing the state in both criminal and civil matters. I currently concentrate on criminal defense and CPS matters.

8. No

9. No

10. No. If so, has it been fully paid?

11. I lost count but over 20 civil and over 50 criminal trials.

12. Interpreting the law, managing dockets, assessing appropriate sentences in criminal cases and creating an environment in which the legal community can efficiently impart justice to the citizens are the duties which I believe are paramount for a District Judge.

13. I agree with Chief Justice John Robert's view of judicial temperament -"lack of pretense...openness and general trustworthiness". ... I think the one thing that can define my career is my tenaciousness. I believe anything can be achieved through hard work and determination.

14. Balancing judicial efficiency while allowing both sides enough time to articulate legal and equitable issues so justice is achieved.

15. Interpretation of the law requires one to research the relevant statutes and appellate authority while listening to the argument of counsel and rule accordingly.

16. "Social Justice" and "inequity" are loaded terms that have different meanings to different people. One must interpret the laws and constitution of the United States not to effectuate an outcome but to uphold the law and the Constitution of the United States. To quote Justice Anton Scalia "I sleep very well at night knowing what I am supposed to do, ...which is to apply the Constitution. I do not always like the result. Very often, I think the result is terrible. But that's not my job. I'm not king. And I haven't been charged with making the Constitution come out right all the time."

17. Over 100

18. No. No

19. As an assistant district attorney in rural counties, I worked tirelessly to move an overloaded criminal docket with an understaffed office. One has to balance doing a complete and thorough job on each case with the inequities and burdens that the passing of time creates. As an experienced public servant, I can tell you it is your duty to work after five and on week ends and yes even on holidays to keep the docket moving so that justice is achieved.

20. I have performed and volunteered for Community Theaters almost all my life. In Law School I served as the student member of the Honors Counsel which decided punishments for students found to have cheated in law school. I formed the original Midland Teen Court Board of Directors and helped transition it from the Junior League to an independent entity. I was on the Board of Directors of Midland March of Dimes. I volunteered for MARC of Midland. I volunteered for the legal clinic run by Casa De Amigos in the 1990's. I was an officer in the Midland County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association and was responsible for bringing and running one of Midland's first live CLE"s to this area. I was on the board of Directors of CASA of Bastrop County. I served on the Board of Directors of the Literacy Counsel of Bastrop County. I volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Medina County. I am a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Midland County Bar Association.





