Monday, July 12, 2010

Judge Debbie Stricklin Resigns

I was a little late to the ballgame with this information, but 180th District Court Judge Debbie Stricklin did make it official today that she will be resigning her position this week. Her last day on the job will be on Friday.

I'm sorry to see her go.

Judge Stricklin, and her husband, Judge Don Stricklin are two fantastic public servants, in my opinion, and I think the Harris County Criminal Justice System will miss them both terribly. The 180th District Court has been a great environment to try cases under Judge Stricklin's tenure. I tried my first two cases as a defense attorney in that court room, and I can say I received a very fair trial both times.

Judge Stricklin leaves behind very big shoes to fill on the bench. Her knowledge of the law and her even temper will be very difficult to replace. There is no word, as of yet, on whether or not Governor Perry will replace her for the remainder of the term. Marc Brown is the Republican candidate for the bench in November. I'll keep you posted as events develop on that.

In the meantime, I wish both Judge Stricklins a very happy and well-deserved retirement.

I'll miss seeing you around the CJC.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Friend in Austin said Perry wants crony in job until November. Remember old judges do not go away,they come back as visiting judges. it is called double dipping.

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:54 is seriously outside the loop. "Crony in job until November" makes no sense, even for an appointment foot-dragger like Perry. And if the reference is to either the "crony" or "old judge" coming back as a visiting judge, statutorily he'd have to have 8 years in the same office to be a visiting judge. And what "double dipping" is referenced? Actually reaching the threshold of drawing a pension and then working basically as a "contract" employee by asssignment of the Regional Administrative Judge? (Re appellate opening: have heard at least 1 civil judge & Bob Schultz are interested. Be great if Mike Anderson threw his hat back in that ring. BTW, hear 6th floor very worried about any MA interest in HCDA office.)

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:54 is seriously outside the loop. "Crony in job until November" makes no sense, even for an appointment foot-dragger like Perry. And if the reference is to either the "crony" or "old judge" coming back as a visiting judge, statutorily he'd have to have 8 years in the same office to be a visiting judge. And what "double dipping" is referenced? Actually reaching the threshold of drawing a pension and then working basically as a "contract" employee by asssignment of the Regional Administrative Judge? (Re appellate opening: have heard at least 1 civil judge & Bob Schultz are interested. Be great if Mike Anderson threw his hat back in that ring. BTW, hear 6th floor very worried about any MA interest in HCDA office.)

Anonymous said...

I'll laugh my ass off if it's Judge Wood. But if Brown is the candidate, I bet he gets it.

Also, why did she quit? Did she lose the primary? If so, that's some sour grapes.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry to see Debbie step down but she certainly has earned the privilege to do so. She was one of the best and smartest prosecutors at HCDA Office for years and has been a super judge that all could depend on for fair and reasoned decisions.

She also helped the county in another way. The day she started dating Don Stricklin, he became a much happier and compassionate person. Or maybe he just started showing it more.

They both deserve the county's thanks for so many years of dedicated, honest, dependable service both as prosecutors and judges. They were both people on whom you could dump a tough problem and you be confident they were going to figure out a fair and reasonable answer.

Anonymous said...

Rachel Palmer ought to express some interest in the appointment. Perhaps her "funding" source(s), and Patsy could throw a good word in to Austin for her.

A smart move would be to appoint Marc to the bench and allow him to run as an incumbent. He is the best qualified for the position and will more than likely get the seat in a few months anyway.

Sorry to see Judge Stricklin go, but now must be the time or she would have not have made the decision. Judge, thank you for your service and dedication to the peopl and the justice system in Harris County. We will miss you.

Anonymous said...

Debbie for D.A.

jigmeister said...

Just curious: Anyone know Don and Debbie's plans?

Anonymous said...

With the new polling data showing White ahead wouldn't it be dangerous for Marc to leave the DA's office and possibly leaving both he and Susan unemployed?

Anonymous said...

We have heard Judge Strickland will be running for DA. Rachel is hoping to be appointed interim judge.Polls show White will win Harris county.Who knows?

Anonymous said...

1:04.
Clearly, you don't know anything.

Anonymous said...

I had an opportunity to speak with a Perry office official today who said it is Gov. Perry's plan to name a replacement on Aug 1st as officially her resignation is July 31st. He said he fully expects Marc Brown to be assigned and he expects him to be overseeing cases by mid August.

Anonymous said...

It's not a secret. The Stricklin's have planned this for some time and are moving out of state to enjoy a well-deserved and peaceful retirement. (for dummies 11:31 and 1:04, Debbie didn't even file in the primary) I'm sure they will both miss the good people they work with but not having to watch Lykos further destroy the once-great HCDA. This never would have happened had Don Stricklin been the D.A. instead of Rosenthal. He was made for the job.

Anonymous said...

I had the great privlidge of working for Judge Stricklin both in the HCDAO and in the 180th District Court. This is one smart, strong and awesome person. I recently served on a Capitol Murder "cold case" out of Montgomery County and the knowledge that I took with me after leaving the 180th District Court really played a roll. I ended up being an alternate on the jury but was very proud of my fellow jurors for the decision they reached. Judge Stricklin and her husband Don Stricklin are two of the most memoriable people that I have known. I wish them nothing but the best. Good Luck Judge Stricklin.

Anonymous said...

Horrible judge. Abused her power. I hope she rots in hell for her punishment of others, as what she inflicted on other members of her society. I hope a hell is big enough for her and her pockets that were open to private prisons and currupt police officers in Houston. May she burn forever in hell along with HPD.

Anonymous said...

I think she was a great judge. Seems like the drug court folks don't like that she exposed them. How about those rehab kickbacks? Lot more people in Harris County using rehabs than private prisons, by FAR.

Anonymous said...

@Anon 6:19. What exactly is "her society" supposed to mean? Other judges/lawyers, or society in general. Your comments are high offensive, and misguided.

Both Stricklin's were great judges that provided decades of honest public service to our community.

MzHandy said...

I agree with u. She gave my husband 35 years for Agg robbery just because his prints was on a hood of a car. Murders don’t even get that much time

MzHandy said...

I agree with u. She gave my husband 35 years for Agg robbery just because his prints was on a hood of a car. Murders don’t even get that much time. He has done 17 years for nothing. Oh but our time will come. She gave everyone in that court 35 years no matter what. We had video proof along with 18 witnesses. And she refused it

Unknown said...

I think Don and Debbie Strickland were tío very good Judges and Prosecutors in the Criminal Justice and I wish the booth good luck

Anonymous said...

Debbie Strickland was not fair and was an awful judge. Happy to see her go. Good riddens.

Anonymous said...

Debbie Stricklin presided over my Nephew's Aggravated Robbery trial in 2003. He is still incarcerated as of this posting. I will not post the way I really feel about this "Judge" because it would be very vulgar. So to keep it clean I only hope she has a conscious.

Anonymous said...

Most thugs wouldn't be outside playing if she was still on the bench

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