El Paso Matters – Q&A: El Paso municipal court No. 4 judicial candidates in Dec. 14 runoff election

Who’s running for this seat?

Candidate Questionnaires

Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar.

What makes you the most qualified for this position? Please be specific.

Samuel Flores: I am the most qualified candidate for Municipal Court #4 because I’ve spent over a decade as a trial attorney in El Paso, handling criminal defense and civil litigation, from serious felonies to misdemeanors. I know the law inside and out, and how it affects real people. I run a successful practice with my wife and am a proud father of twins. Raised in Ciudad Juárez, I’m fluent in Spanish and deeply understand our bicultural community. I will bring my experience and dedication to the bench.

Lauren Ferris: I am the current Judge. I have over 12 years experience in municipal court. I served as a city prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge in this court. Municipal court is often the one and only court that an individual will attend. It is imperative to have a judge with experience and knowledge not only of the law, but of policies and procedures to better serve those that come before the court. I am also a trained mediator, which allows me to further remain impartial and help with resolutions of cases.

What changes or improvements would you implement to make the municipal court more efficient in managing its docket?

Samuel Flores: I believe we can improve Municipal Court 4 by creating a faster, more efficient environment for handling citations. In today’s era, virtual settings are essential. As a litigation attorney, I’ve seen how state courts running virtual dockets cut undue delays. It offers flexibility for attendees to join remotely, reducing disruptions to their busy lives while keeping the process efficient and effective.

Lauren Ferris: I have the unique experience of having all perspectives in the municipal courtroom. I am able to run my court efficiently with extensive knowledge of municipal law and Class C misdemeanors because of my previous and current experience. I do not have a learning curve, so, time, tax dollars and resources are prudently utilized. With my vast experience in this court, I am able to understand and know how to manage a more efficient docket and have also re-implemented virtual hearings.

Describe your leadership style and how you apply that on the bench to people who come to your court.

Samuel Flores: I am a strong leader, successfully running my law practice with the same dedicated legal team because I see myself as a teammate, not just a boss. This approach is crucial for a healthy workplace environment, especially when leading a business. Collaboration and mutual respect are key to maintaining a thriving and motivated team.

Lauren Ferris: I run my court with impartiality, compassion and respect. I treat everyone that comes before me with dignity and respect and I expect the same to be reciprocated in my courtroom. I like to be efficient and not waste people’s time, meanwhile ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. I work well with my staff, attorneys, prosecutors, and our officers to ensure our docket runs smoothly. Everyone plays an important role in the court and it is important to be a good leader for them all.

Many people know municipal court as “traffic court,” although the court has jurisdiction over many other cases such as city ordinance violations. What part of the job is most important to you and why?

Samuel Flores: What’s more important as a municipal judge isn’t just the cases before the bench, but maintaining integrity within our community. This is achieved by applying the law fairly and consistently to every case. In other words, there are no shortcuts in the legal field; the law must be upheld with unwavering commitment to justice.

Lauren Ferris: To be fair and impartial when evaluating cases; to be a public servant for the citizens of El Paso and ensure justice is served; to uphold the integrity of the court and promote efficiency in the judicial system We see a variety of cases to include traffic tickets, animal code violations, building code violations, right to possession cases, theft under $100, etc. There are many cases with multiple parties involved and I want to ensure everyone is treated fairly and within the bounds of the law.

What is the biggest challenge facing municipal courts and how would you address it?

Samuel Flores: The biggest challenge facing Municipal Court is ensuring our community’s safety and integrity. By focusing on traffic citations and other key areas, it’s crucial to implement justice fairly and consistently. This ensures that El Paso remains a place where the law is respected and followed, protecting everyone in our community.

Lauren Ferris: The biggest challenge currently would be the lack of information citizens have about the policies and procedures of the courts. We have worked diligently and efficiently to clear up the backlog from COVID. Now, the new challenge would be to educate the public about the process of the court when someone receives a citation. Almost every day, I explain the court procedures and options to defendants. I would suggest doing mass communication on different platforms to reach the general public.