Longtime Judge David Garcia of Denton County, Texas is seeking reelection to his seat in Criminal Court #3 during the County’s March 6th elections. Garcia, a Republican, has held the seat since his appointment to office in 1997 after a decade working in private practice, and currently serves on several Texas judiciary boards and committees.
While presiding over Criminal Court #3, Garcia has been commended for excellent performance, leading all courts in Denton County on multiple metrics used to grade judges. Garcia’s court boasts the lowest rate of reversal in cases appealed to higher courts, lowest court appointed, taxpayer funded attorney fees, and is also the fastest court to grant victims and defendants their rights to a speedy trial.
In addition to presiding over criminal cases, Judge Garcia serves on the Denton County Veterans Court. The Veterans Court, a program designed to assist offending military veterans suffering from service related injuries or disorders, has received national attention and praise for adjudicating with a focus on treatment of underlying conditions, rather than punishment, helping veterans charged with crimes get their lives back on track. Veterans Court has been compared to numerous drug rehabilitation courts across the country, and has been extremely successful, with only one of fifty graduates from the program going on to re offend. The court’s 2% recidivism rate is one of the lowest in the United States for the veteran population. The court was also the subject of a CBS documentary titled ‘Veterans Journey Home: Faith, Hope, & War.’
In a recent press release addressed to voters ahead of the March 6th election, Garcia highlighted his passion for serving the people and justice system of Denton County, calling it ‘the highest honor’ of his life. Referring to himself as a ‘guardian of the Constitution,’ Garcia spoke of his love for the American justice system, before asking voters for their support.
Outside the courtroom, Garcia is extremely active in his community, volunteering his time for everything from coaching youth sports, to serving as the director of a special needs ministry with Denton Bible Church.
