Warren Waterman is an attorney with more than 24 years experience in all cases heard in County Court at Law #1. “There are two tables in every courtroom and I’ve worked at both of them. I have argued more than 100 trials to verdict from both sides, which I believe qualifies me to sit on the bench facing them.”
Actual cases filed in CC#1 2014-To Date
Source: Texas Office of Court Administration / Williamson County
Waterman is reaching out to ensure voters are aware of the true nature of the CC#1 docket. “I am concerned about the fallacy that this is a children’s court. While Williamson County does investigate CPS cases with diligence, most do not come to trial. In fact, only 5 percent of this docket is CPS cases. The workload is primarily criminal, with some family, civil and probate.”
He detailed his legal experience; criminal, civil, ad litem advocacy and justice for families, including the difficult decisions to remove children from unsafe homes and people. “I want to emphasize that advocating for children is the goal of absolutely everyone in the justice system, but the majority job in this court—removing violent offenders and drunk drivers from the streets—is paramount to keeping everyone safe.”
As an attorney and, potentially, a judge, Waterman considers himself a strict constructionist. “I believe judges should be committed to following the law and not re-writing it. It is possible—if not preferential—to make judgments without being emotional and I don’t believe in exploiting anyone’s tragedy for the sake of an office. I want to do what I’ve always done; use my expert knowledge of the law to treat everyone in the court fairly and by the book because impartiality is the hallmark of the job and it is what the law expects and requires.
“I believe I have depth and breadth of experience. Having been prosecutor and defender, I am experienced and prepared to be both the fact-finder and determiner of the law in all CC#1 cases.”
Waterman does reserve judgment on adding a fifth County Court. “We have substantial growth in our county but expanding the courts should be based on workload rather than numbers. We would not be good stewards of taxpayer money if we were to make that change while still managing our caseloads efficiently. People want to move here because it is a safe place to live thanks to good judges who treat families fairly, not because we have more courtrooms.”
He admits he is open and encouraged by the prospect of more specialty courts. “Studies show that nearly 1 in 4 people with two DWI convictions will have a third. But graduates of special programs have a recidivism rate in the single digits and that keeps all of us safe. And I believe no one is above the law, I have prosecuted law enforcement for the same offenses, and do my best to break the cycle of bad behavior. Prosecuting domestic abuse and substance abuse is some of the most important work our justice system does. I am most fulfilled when we can break the chain one family, one child at a time. Being judge will allow me to do that on an even greater scale.”
