1. Who are you, and what are you running for?
I am David Farr, Republican for Judge, 312th Family District Court.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
The 312th Family District Court is a specific jurisdiction court. It hears family law matters — divorces, child custody disputes, child support cases, child visitation determination, marital property divisions, parental terminations and adoption cases. The judge in this court also handles issues involving Children’s Protective Services cases, visitation enforcement and modification and paternity.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
After being appointed to the bench by Gov. Rick Perry, I served as the judge in this court from November 2007 until December 2008. During that time, cases ran much more smoothly, the docket was streamlined and people got their day in court in a dependable and fair fashion. That has not been the case since I left. I’m running to restore efficiency, fairness and energy to this court. I am running because public service has been my passion and the issues handled in our overcrowded family courts are of prime importance to our community and our families.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
Again, I served with distinction as Judge of the 312th Family District Court from November 2007 until December 2008. I bring no agenda to the bench, other than following the law and doing what’s best for those who come into the court. Before serving as judge in the 312th, I was the Associate Judge of the 257th Family District Court from January 2002 until November 2007. In 2007, I received the best “outstanding overall” rating for all family court judges and associate judges in Harris County in the Houston Bar Association Judicial Poll. I am Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I have served on numerous family law boards, including the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists and the HBA Family Law Section.
I also served as an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Houston Law School and the South Texas College of Law. I’m a frequent lecturer throughout the state on family law issues and have also been a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Aggie Bar Association.
I am a graduate of Texas A&M University. I was a member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets on an Army ROTC scholarship and I have served honorably for 14 years in the Texas Army National Guard. I have obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served on active duty four times, including deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Iraq and New Orleans for Operation Katrina.
I have also been in private practice representing clients on the full range of family law issues, as well as performing as a mediator on many cases over the past several years. In those cases, I have been assisting litigants in finding alternative methods to resolving their disputes. I have had the privilege of serving as a court-appointed amicus and ad litem attorney representing children in the family courts and in private practice. Finally, for five years prior to taking the bench as the Associate Judge of the 257th, I was a county child support prosecutor in the family courts and, in that time period, collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in back child support on behalf of the children in these courts.
Between private practice, mediation work, county attorney work and military and civilian law, I have seen every angle of these important issues.
5. Why is this race important?
The family courts in Harris County are busy. In fact, that’s an understatement. But it’s not an overstatement to say they must be presided over by a judge who understands the law and the complexities of the family issues faced in these courts each day. A family law judge must conduct himself honorably and be efficient. Justice is best served when it is handled efficiently, especially when the lives of so many hinge on the decisions made in these cases. These cases must be handled by someone who is going to work hard each and every day — someone dedicated to being a public servant and not a politician.
6. Why should people vote for you in November?
Public service, whether as an Associate Judge, Judge or Solider, has been my life. I have proven myself in tough situations. I’ve been tested inside and outside of the courtroom. Being a judge is a sacred trust with the people — the voters, the taxpayers and the people who come to court looking for justice or help. I live those lessons and, again, I will bring that attitude back to the bench in the 312th Family District Court.
Website: FarrforJudge.com
