[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”36044″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Judge Jay Karahan” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
“I want the accused to believe that he or she will receive a fair hearing by a judge who cares deeply about the integrity of the process; I want the crime victim to know that their voice will be heard; I want lawyers to know that I will read their papers and listen to their arguments with an open mind; I want the witness to know that their testimony is necessary and that the subpoena was issued in good faith; and I want jurors to believe that they are honored and important participants in our justice system.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”SOCIAL” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1512082878814{border-radius: 2px !important;}”]
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”CURRENT OCCUPATION” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Incumbent Judge of the Harris County Criminal Court at Law 8.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”EDUCATION” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Florida State University
South Texas College of Law
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”STATE BAR LICENSURE” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
1983
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]From January 2003 to the present presided over 500 jury trials; administered justice in over 75,000 cases; oversees on average every month over 700 probationers on community supervision
Currently presides over a SOBER Court (Saving Ourselves by Education and Rehabilitation), one of five Harris County misdemeanor courts that manage a 30+ defendant specialty docket devoted to the rehabilitation of repeat DWI offenders (to prevent recidivism, regain sobriety, and improve public safety); Karahan was one of five original pilot courts in 2008 that started this nationally recognized program.
Currently serves on the electronic technology committee looking at ways to automate court services, records retrieval and documentation; Court 8 is a pilot court to institute these changes to our justice management.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”BOARD CERTIFICATIONS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Criminal Law Specialist, 30 years[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”COURTS ADMITTED TO” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- Texas Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Judicial Circuit
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”HONORS & AWARDS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Superior Performance for the successful prosecution of two FBI Top Ten fugitives
- Houston FBI Special Agent in Charge Award for the successful prosecution of two FBI Top Ten fugitives
- Mother’s Against Drunk Driving awards for judicial service in DWI litigation
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”REPUBLICAN PARTY INVOLVEMENT” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- Lifelong Republican having worked in the “vineyards” growing and supporting our party since 1980
- Ronald Reagan for President campaign in 1980 while in law school
- In charge of Governor George W. Bush’s Letters to the Editor project in Houston in 1996
- Served as precinct 435 chair in 1984-85
- State convention delegate in 1984
- Raised funds for numerous Republican judicial candidates though the years
- Volunteered yearly for HCRP in minority community outreach efforts under past chair Woodfill and also current chair Simpson
- Past and current HCRP Cornerstone Member
- Unofficial party “minstrel” as I sing the national anthem at executive committee meetings and other special party events
- Current Gold Sponsor of Houston Young Republicans, the future of our party
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”PRIOR ELECTION RESULTS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- 2002 – Primary Runoff, Defeated John H. Spjut, 59.6% – 40.4%
- 2002 – General, Defeated Alfred G. “Al” Leal, 53.9% – 46.1%
- 2006 – General, Defeated Alfred (Bud) Valdez, 52.7% – 47.3%
- 2010 – General, Defeated Eugene Newsom, 56.9% – 43.1%
- 2014 – General, Defeated Kelli Johnson 54.4%, – 45.6%
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”KEY ENDORSEMENTS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- Houston Police Officers’ Union
- Harris County Deputies’ Organization
- Coalition of Police and Sheriffs
- Houston Firefighters’ Union
- Bill King, former mayoral candidate
- Chris Daniel, Harris County District Clerk
- Rusty Hardin, prominent former Assistant DA and Houston attorney
- over 40 Harris County precinct chairs and SD Chairs
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”36042″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Dan Simons” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]“It is vital to ensure that every defendant is treated fairly and equally. As a prosecutor, my job was to seek justice by protecting the rights of victims and defendants alike. As a defense attorney, it is my job to protect the rights of my clients and hold the prosecutors to their burden.
As a Judge, I will administer justice fairly and equally to all parties. I will follow the law. Furthermore, I will also seek out new innovations in technology to help efficiently and effectively manage our court dockets. Harris County deserves the best and I intend on giving my best.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”SOCIAL” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”CURRENT OCCUPATION” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Defense attorney at the Thiessen Law Firm.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”EDUCATION” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Sam Houston State University
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
University of Houston, Master in Tax Law
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”STATE BAR LICENSURE” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
2012
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”BOARD CERTIFICATIONS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”COURTS ADMITTED TO” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- Eastern District Court of Texas
- Southern District Court of Texas
- United States Tax Court
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”HONORS & AWARDS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force (Law Enforcement Specialist)
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”REPUBLICAN PARTY INVOLVEMENT” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”PRIOR ELECTION RESULTS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”KEY ENDORSEMENTS” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- P.O.L.I.C.E Inc.
- Katy Christian Magazine
- Terry Lowry
- Dr. Steve Hotze
- Gary Polland
- Conservative Coalition of Harris County
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message]Note: The information above is gathered from a variety of resources. Candidates are welcome to and encouraged to add to the information or correct the information via the Contact page.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Slate Endorsements” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Slate | Karahan | Simons |
Link Letter | X | |
CRTX | X | |
TCR | X | |
TCV | ||
CCHC | ||
URHC |
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