The race for the 406th Court:
incumbent Reyes squares off with challenger Hale

On March 2, 2004, Webb County voters will choose the Judge for the 406th District Court from a field that at this time includes incumbent judge Andres Reyes and challenger Oscar Hale, Jr.
We asked both candidates about the speculation that this race is especially politically charged by virtue of which political figures support them, or do not support them, in their bid.
Both men are attorneys, both familiar with the Laredo judicial system, such that it is. For a look at what sets them apart, read on.

OSCAR HALE
LareDOS: There is speculation that you've entered the race as a result of an alliance of support from District Attorney Joe Rubio and 49th District Court Judge Manuel Flores. Talk about this, or dispel it.
Oscar Hale, Jr.: It was a big decision to run, and not one made lightly. The first person I spoke to about my ambitions was attorney Charlie Borchers, whom I knew in the years I worked at the firm of Person, Whitworth, Ramos, Borchers & Morales. Before taking a position at the DA's office, I told Mr. Borchers I wanted to gain litigation experience and that I had ambitions to run for political office, either as District Attorney or District Judge. The decision goes back to the second year after I graduated from law school in 1995. Although he was excited about my ambitions, and though I knew I needed experience, his advice was to wait for the right opportunity to serve. All the factors needed to line up -- the right position, the right opponent, and the right timing.
This is that opportunity. There seems to be dissatisfaction with the way this court is being run, but the idea to run for judge of the 406 th court is mine. I talked to my family and close friends and made my decision. Never once did I speak to Joe Rubio or Judge Flores about my decision to run, nor did they at any time ask or encourage me to run. My decision was made by me and with the support of my family.
I've worked on many other campaigns in Laredo. Politics play into everything, but once you get into an office of public trust, you should be able to separate politics from the courtroom. It's a tough job. You make tough decisions that should never have the taint of politics on them.
LareDOS: What are your goals for the administration of the 406th?
Hale: One of my goals if elected is to run a more efficient court while at the same time promoting public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. With my experience, I feel I can use that experience in administering justice the way it should be done, fairly and impartially. Those are my intentions.
The 406th Court was created in 1999 by the Texas Legislature to handle any and all family issues. I'm not certain that this court is handling all the cases that it should be handling, including adoption and termination of parental rights cases. This court, although it is a family district court, is also a court of general jurisdiction. It can handle civil and criminal cases of all types.
LareDOS: What will you bring to the administration of the 406th District Court?
Hale: I bring my personal strengths of integrity and conscience, as well as extensive courtroom experience gained from my work with two civil litigation firms and the District Attorney's office. I have extensive experience in a variety of legal issues and have been before judges from other cities. In that aspect and from that experience I have seen how justice works, and how other courts administer justice.
LareDOS: What are the functions of the judge of the 406th Court?
Hale: Being a judge is a full time job because in addition to hearing cases and making decisions that affect the lives of many and protect the best interests of those who most need help, you become a role model in the community and that is responsibility 24 hours a day.
The 406th is a significant court because of the compelling family issues that come before that court. The Court also hears criminal cases and family abuse cases. Like any other district court, the decisions made there tend to have impact in many other ways. The role of a judge is to make decisions based on evidence.
As an assistant district attorney, as a prosecutor, you take an oath that you abide by and follow and uphold the constitutions of the State of Texas and the United States. You swear that justice will be done. I take that oath very seriously.
As a judge you do that by being fair and impartial. You make a decision on the evidence and the law, not on any other factor.
LareDOS: What life experiences steered you to the law?
Hale: Initially, when I graduated from college, I was planning on applying with the Drug Enforcement Administration. I was influenced by my father and my uncles. Then I went to Washington, D.C., and made an internship with Congressman Salomon Ortiz. The Congressman and his staff encouraged me to apply to law school. I saw myself making a contribution to my community. During my internship I worked with attorneys who researched certain issues. That's where I got hooked with the law. As soon as I got back, I signed up for and took the LSAT. I enrolled in law school.
LareDOS: Who are the greatest influences in your life?
Hale: My parents, Dora and O. J. Hale, Sr., are the single largest influence in my life. They were strict but very fair, and they taught me and my sisters the value of hard work. My wife Kristina and my children are very important parts of all my decisions. In fact, Kristina is perhaps the one person who encouraged me to pursue my ambitions the most.
In the law, Charlie Borchers was a huge influence, as have been some of the very good attorneys I've worked with and against.

Current Position: Associate Attorney, Jones & Gonzalez, P.C.
Past Work/Courtroom Experience: Assistant Webb County District Attorney; trial experience in Criminal Prosecutions and Appeals, 15 trials.
Family: Married to Kristina Laurel Hale; father of daughters Lexie and Jordann, dad to an extraordinary young man Andy.
Professional Affiliations: Member, former president of the Young Lawyers Association; member, former president of the National Hispanic Prosecutors Association Region III.
Law School: Texas Southern University, 1995.
Undergraduate Degrees: Laredo State University, 1991.
High School: Nixon High School, 1986.

ANDRES REYES
LareDOS: There is speculation that your opponent in this race entered the race as a result of an alliance of support from District Attorney Joe Rubio and 49th District Court Judge Manuel Flores. Talk about this, or dispel it.
Andres Reyes: During campaigns, there are many rumors -- some confirmed and some are just that, rumors. Some who are familiar with the political landscape have indicated that this is what is going on, but this is the nature of our political process in which certain people form alliances. There is nothing that precludes Mr. Rubio being aligned with my opponent. It's no secret that my opponent's father is the chief investigator for the District Attorney's office. As to Judges, though, that is something that the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits. Judges cannot endorse or get involved publicly.
LareDOS: What are your goals for the administration of the 406th?
Reyes: Since I took the oath of office for Judge of the 406th District Court, about 2,000 protective orders have been processed. The cases have come in all forms and sizes. They have dealt with problems between spouses, siblings, siblings and parents, and people in romantic relationships, dating violence. The 2,000 figure is not a true representation of the work that goes into each case. For each order that is entered, there is a status day to review for compliance the part of the order that orders the respondent to counseling. In effect, we sometimes visit each case two or three times. We will continue doing this. I want to make absolutely sure that we carry out the responsibility given to us by the Legislature of the State of Texas, and that is to give priority to cases dealing with domestic violence. This court has been given a unique mandate and that is to not only administer justice, but also to educate. When I first campaigned for office you asked what step-out-of-the-mold judge I would be if elected. My response was that I would reach out to the community and report the work we were doing, and that I would seek the participation of different agencies, entities, and individuals in the community in an effort to educate on the issue. I have kept my promise. On any given day you will find representatives of those agencies and entities in the courtroom of the 406th -- entities such El Puente and Nuestra Gente are present every time protective orders are heard. Before a respondent ordered to take counseling leaves the courtroom, he is signed up by one of those agencies and provided a schedule for counseling sessions. The Domestic Violence Coalition has been very interested in the disposition of protective orders. Every month a member of my staff reports to the coalition as to how many protective orders were granted or denied, how many in compliance with counseling requirements, writs issued for the arrest of persons who fail to appear and comply with the protective order.
Many victims are afraid to go to court for fear of encountering their abuser. My bailiff coordinates with courthouse security to provide escort services. Another goal we are we are trying to bring to fruition is the opening of a testifying room for victims who would testify via remote transmissions, especially for children, so they do not have to face their accuser.
What is of most importance is the effective and efficient disposition of cases. I've insisted that the 406th be equipped with the latest technology. I have real time technology that allows me to see everything said by the litigants, information also available to the court interpreter and the court clerks. The court is also equipped with projection technology so that the jury has access to the information as well.
LareDOS: What do you bring to the administration of the 406th District Court?
Reyes: I bring experience. I bring no bias and no prejudice. The local judiciary would agree that I have no bias or pejudice, that I have strived to be the impartial and fair judge I said I would be, that I am a judge who works within the parameters of the law. The law dictates the merits of a case no matter who you are, your social or economic stratum, or who you know. I also bring an efficient and orderly disposition of cases in all areas including general family law, personal injury cases, general civil cases, and criminal cases.
LareDOS: What are the functions of the judge of the 406th Court?
Reyes: The chief function of the Judge of the 406th is to hear all cases that come before the cout, to administer justice, to give cases proper resolution, to apply the law, to be fair and impartial, and to not let politics play a part in the disposition of cases. The judge should ensure that cases are given setting without delay, that orders are signed and entered, and that all cases should be resolved with all deliberate speed. You do not want a backlog of cases on which people's lives or livelihoods may depend. The judge of the 406th should participate in all monthly meetings of the board of judges, which include the adult probation board, the juvenile board, the auditing board, the purchasing board which I chair, and the administrative board.
LareDOS: What life experiences steered you to the law?
Reyes: As I was growing up, my parents were on top of all we did. They were disciplinarians very close to their God. There were 12 of us. In my mind, they did a tremendous job. I'd have to say it was the way we were raised. They instilled in their children good principles and that has had a ripple effect through the lives of our own children. There were repercussions at home for being disobedient at school. These were lessons that have stayed with us. When I was a police officer, one of the youngest on the force in 1979, I continued with my education always with an eye toward graduating. When I got accepted to law school I felt I had been granted my greatest wish. When I finished, I was licensed and came back to my hometown and my family and practiced law 12 years.
LareDOS: Who are the greatest influences in your life?
Reyes: I'd have to say it was my parents.

Current Position: Judge of the 406th District Court
Past Work/Courtroom Experience: 12 years in practice with Chito Vela and later with David Almaraz, for whom I took over civil cases; extensive courtroom experience in federal and state court for all manner of cases. I was in practice for myself prior to being elected Judge in 2001.
Family: Wife Cynthia Peña Reyes; children Steven Anthony and Brianna Gloria, and a baby boy on the way.
Professional Affiliations: State Bar of Texas, Webb County Bar Association, Federal Court, the Southern District of Texas.
Law School: Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law,1988.
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Major in History, Minor in Political Science.
High School: Nixon High School, 1977.