At Texas Southern University, judges, professors and students gathered to bridge the gap between the justice system and the community it serves.
The event, Bridging the Gap: Balancing the Scales of Justice and Community, brought together the University Criminal Justice Association (UCJA), the Houston Area Urban League and retired Judge Maria T. Jackson’s nonprofit We Deserve Better for a candid dialogue about fairness and reform in Harris County’s courts.
The discussion underscored how the face of justice in Houston has changed and how much more work remains to be done.
A new generation of justice
UCJA is a student-led organization that unites students interested in law enforcement, forensics and criminal justice reform. TSU criminal justice professors Anthony Phillips and Eric Carr, both UCJA advisors, urged attendees to see the moment as an investment in the next generation of leaders.
“It’s very important that we invest in our future,” Carr said. “We have a lot of young students here who are gonna be our leaders. We have to do our part to encourage, inspire and motivate that next generation. Unfortunately, I believe some of our organizations have not done a good job passing that torch on to the next generation.”
The changing face of the bench
Maria T. Jackson, retired State District Court Judge, acknowledged the progress and diversity now seen in Houston’s courts. Judges Lori Chambers Gray (262nd Criminal District Court), Raúl Rodríguez (Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13), Shannon Baldwin (Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 4), Sedrick Walker (Harris County Criminal Court at Law No.11) and Audrie Lawton-Evans (Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1) shared perspectives on personal identities and their impact on the justice system.
“Judges didn’t always look like the society; they were seen to be sitting here and not a part of the community,” Gray said. “That has changed in Harris County because the community has spoken out and said they wanted judges who would treat everyone fairly. It’s important that everyone starts on a level playing field, not look at someone because maybe they are indigent and cannot afford to hire an attorney, or they come in with a well-paid attorney, rule differently because someone has a different sexual orientation or race, but apply the law.”
Lawton-Evans noted that being a woman of color on the bench has shaped everything from how she schedules hearings to how she supports working parents and caregivers in her courtroom, drawing from her challenges of bringing her daughters to court.
“I start at 9.30 am because I know what it’s like to have to drop children off,” she said. “I would not schedule anything after probably 2 or 3 o’clock in the afternoon because I also remember what it’s like to have to pick up the child. Our courthouse now has lactation pods and feminine products. I’m now in this space that I can do unapologetically.”
Restorative justice
A central theme of the evening was restorative justice, the idea that courts should aim to rehabilitate, not simply punish.
Judge Rodriguez described Harris County’s “Sober Court,” which focuses on treatment and recovery for individuals charged with repeat DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offenses.
“We found that those individuals have an issue with alcohol dependency,” he said. “Our goal in that particular court is not incarceration, it is rehabilitation to help them. We’re trying to nip it in the bud.”
Judge Baldwin, who presides over a veterans’ court, echoed Rodriguez’s philosophy.
“When you come before our courts, we’re not looking just for a conviction, we’re looking for restorative justice,” Baldwin said. “When you leave, you should be better than when you came in.”
Judge Walker highlighted the Fresh Start Program, which helps residents seal or expunge eligible misdemeanor records for free, a vital second chance for those trying to rebuild their lives after serving time.
Inside the classroom
The judges also shared advice for aspiring attorneys and judges. Judge Gray emphasized the fundamentals.
“Love to read and write. Debate and public speaking prepare you to think fast on your feet,” she said.
Others urged students to seek mentors, internships and courtroom exposure early by calling their courts and asking for internships or opportunities to observe proceedings.
Lawton-Evans, who presides over a civil court, noted how eviction and debt cases intersect with the criminal justice system.
“We would all agree that if someone doesn’t have money to pay for diapers at the grocery store and they take those diapers and walk out of that store, it’s not right when they get arrested and have to go through the criminal justice system,” she said. “Sometimes we’ve gotta look at the contributing factors from many different angles in order to truly make a difference.”
Beyond the bench
Judges repeatedly emphasized the power of civic participation, especially voting. They urged attendees to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
“People are chipping away at your rights, but if you vote for like-minded judges, we will rule without fear or favor. They are trying to remove us, but we will be out there holding the line and fighting for you.”
Shannon Baldwin , Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 4
“People are chipping away at your rights, but if you vote for like-minded judges, we will rule without fear or favor,” Baldwin said. “They are trying to remove us, but we will be out there holding the line and fighting for you.”
The judges stressed that local elections, often overlooked, determine who sets bail policies, oversees family disputes and shapes restorative programs.
