Candidates for Tarrant County Criminal District judge, Court 5 on November 8 ballot
Brad Clark
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Age as of November 8, 2022: 61
Campaign website: http://BradClarkforJudge.com
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Juris Doctor, Baylor Law, 1991
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
- Texas & Tarrant County Bar Foundations, committed to promoting professional integrity and the cause of justice in Texas
- Tarrant County Bar Association – Criminal Law Section, Chair 2013-22: fostering integrity and professionalism in the practice of criminal law
- Tarrant County Reentry Coalition, Board Member: A community-wide collaboration committed to breaking the devastating cycle of criminal recidivism
- Inn of Court: mentorship to improve the professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My campaign is almost entirely self-funded. No contributions have been directly solicited. A complete list of contributors, amounts and expenses are available online through the Tarrant County Elections office.
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent? I was born and raised in the Riverside area of Fort Worth. I have worked my entire career to improve our community. I am committed to seeing that everyone in my court receives fair and impartial treatment. Many of the people incarcerated in the Tarrant County Jail and/or charged with domestic violence have mental health issues. As a founding member of Tarrant County’s Mental Health Court, I have twenty years of experience in the criminal justice system working with those that have significant mental health issues.
What are the three biggest issues in this race? First: My opponent’s history of Twitter comments spanning more than a decade clearly illustrate her deep-seated prejudice against Caucasian men and women. If she is elected, I would expect that she will be subject to recusal in cases involving a Caucasian attorney, defendant or victim. Second: This court is dedicated to presiding over domestic violence cases. Domestic violence is the third-most charged crime in Tarrant County. We must continue to work to develop solutions that are effective in addressing the risk factors contributing to domestic violence. Domestic violence not only affects defendants and victims, but also the many children that must witness and live with the behavior.Third: Effective docket management is also critical to resolving these cases in a reasonable period of time.
What is your promise to Tarrant County residents if you win? I will preside over this court with unbiased professionalism and integrity. I will make every effort to implement a cost-effective and science-based methodology to break the cycle of domestic violence in Tarrant County and serve as an example for other jurisdictions.
In your view, are there any crimes being too lightly sentenced in Tarrant County? Are there crimes that are being too harshly sentenced? Sentencing should be a product of the law and the facts of each individual case. To form an opinion on such a matter without sufficient information is foolish and without value.
Lesa Pamplin
Political party (if applicable): Democrat
Age as of November 8, 2022: 58
Campaign website: lesapamplinforjudge.com
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A. in Criminal Justice, University of Louisiana Monroe (1985); Juris Doctor Texas A&M University School of Law (1997)
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): No, I have never run for elected office.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I am a member of Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, L. Clifford Davis Legal Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - XI Theta Omega Chapter. I am a recurring sponsor of When Jade Smiles, a local non-profit organization that helps with the social and economic needs of children after the death of a parent.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My top three campaign contributors are Danyale Holland, Gerald McHenry, and Walter Horton.
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)? Tarrant County is experiencing an increase in domestic violence cases. 1 in 3 Texans will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, which is why we can no longer go about “business as usual” in regard to domestic violence in our community.Because I have handled domestic violence cases as a police officer, prosecutor, and defense attorney, I understand the factors involved in these matters and will use my diverse perspectives to implement and expand programs in County Criminal Court No. 5 (which only handles domestic violence cases) aimed at the safety of the community and the reduction of repeat offenders. The most important distinction between me and my opponent is my comprehensive approach to domestic violence cases - an approach that prioritizes safety, includes treatment for mental health issues and/or addictions, holds people accountable, and that provides rehabilitation measures and training for employment, life skills, parenting, etc.
What are the three biggest issues in this race? The three biggest issues in this race are safety, access, and solutions. In 2020, Tarrant County set a new record for the number of residents who died from domestic violence. If elected, my top priority will be the safety of victims and the community. The second biggest issue is access to timely justice. CCC5, like most of our courts, saw an increase in the number of pending cases in the last couple of years. I pledge to work with the DA’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, and other relevant agencies to decrease the court’s backlog. The third biggest issue in this race is the recidivism in domestic violence matters, which I have witnessed as a police officer, prosecutor, and defense attorney. I plan to expand upon the current judge’s programs and implement new programs as outlined above that are aimed at reducing repeat offenders and keeping our community safe.
What is your promise to Tarrant County residents if you win? I make three promises to Tarrant County residents if I win: 1) For years, I have said that the courts belong to the people of this community. As such, I promise Tarrant County residents that I will ensure that you have access to the court, which is integral for transparency and accountability. I promise Tarrant County residents that those with pending cases will be afforded access to swift justice; 2) I promise Tarrant County residents that I will treat everyone in my court fairly - without fear or favor; and, 3) I promise Tarrant County residents that I will implement solutions-based programs that keep everyone safe, increase public access, and address the court’s backlog.
In your view, are there any crimes being too lightly sentenced in Tarrant County? Are there crimes that are being too harshly sentenced? I have had the privilege of trying many cases before Tarrant County juries, and I can say, without hesitation, that jurors take their civic duties and oaths to heart, listen to the facts of the case, and follow the law in rendering a decision on guilt AND when deciding upon a sentence. So, I do not believe there are crimes that are too lightly sentenced by Tarrant County jurors.
