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Family courts handle some of the most wrenching and contentious of legal disputes. Judges in those courts need to know the law and procedure but must also have the proper temperament for handling not just the dissolution of marriages but fights over child custody, support payments, property divisions and more.
Two family court races are on the March 2 Republican primary ballot.233rd District CourtJudge Bill Harris, 55, has served in this court since 1995 and last was challenged for re-election in 2002. His Republican primary opponents -- Barbara Armstrong, 45, of Fort Worth and Jerry Jones, 60, of Arlington -- both complain that Harris is sarcastic and demeaning to litigants and lawyers in court.Jones said he's witnessed Harris cussing at people appearing before him. But Harris called the accusation "a lie" and denied ever using profanity in the courtroom. "I treat everyone in my courtroom right," he said.In a 2009 Tarrant County Bar Association judicial evaluation, only 43 percent of the lawyers voting said Harris demonstrates proper judicial temperament, though almost 69 percent said he correctly applies the law.Armstrong questions Harris' assertion on a campaign card that he's given jail time in "100 percent of cases involving parents who failed to pay child support." She rightly argues that sometimes other alternatives are better if they let parents stay employed to catch up on payments and stay connected with their children.Harris said he looks at every case on its merits and considers the full range of punishment. He called the jail-time statement "not very artfully written."With her background as a mediator and in representing children interests in contentious custody battles, Armstrong would probably have a calmer, more conciliatory demeanor in court. The question is whether her 12 years practicing family law have prepared her to make hard decisions when necessary.The primary winner will face Democrat Tom McKenzie of Fort Worth in November.There is enough concern for voters to seriously consider whether to give Harris a chance at another term.The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends Barbara Armstrong in the Republican primary for 233rd District Court.322nd District CourtJudge Nancy Berger is seeking her second four-year term. In 2006, she ousted a longtime Republican incumbent, and an undercurrent of continuing acrimony from that race seems to be helping fuel some of the gossip-driven criticisms against her.Berger, 68, was almost 50 when she went to law school after working as a fraud investigator and certified public accountant. She practiced law for 12 years before taking the bench.Lisa Hoppes, 42, of North Richland Hills says her 15 years of practicing family law would prevent her from making mistakes that Berger has. But almost all the incidents Hoppes cites were related by other lawyers; she said she hasn't had any problems in Berger's court.Berger inherited a considerable backlog that she whittled down, with several months of help from a visiting judge. Veteran lawyers say she works long hours, listens, is fair and will acknowledge an error.There is no Democrat running for this seat.The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends Nancy Berger in the Republican primary for 322nd District Court.
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