It is nearly impossible for the passion Judge Maria Jackson pours in her work to go unnoticed. She has successfully established a reputation as someone that displays fairness and compassion time after time.
Jackson began her professional career as the program director of a charter school where she helped guide economically disadvantaged children. This is where she learned that some people can be taken out of a negative environment and, if given the proper tools and care, can reestablish themselves and become productive citizens in the community. She maintained this belief and used it as a foundation in her law career.
After graduating from Texas A&M School of Law, Jackson began working at a private law firm as a municipal bond attorney. She was then appointed by the Mayor as a City of Houston Parking Judge, and two years later she was appointed as a full time Municipal Court Judge. Due to such a progressive track record in these two positions, Jackson was the first judge to be featured in the Mayor’s Spotlight. This honor garnered her the attention of the Democratic Party, who endorsed her for the 339th State District Court where she has now been serving for 10 years.
Jackson has presided over more than 75,000 cases, ranging from small drug offenses to capital murder. Some of her capital murder cases were even featured on the national television show “The First 48 Hours.”
“I’ve presided over many heinous cases,” Jackson said. “I presided over the mother who buried her baby face down alive, the man who spread HIV to countless middle school girls and his 24-month old niece as well as several other high-profile cases.”
Despite judging cases that produce such polarizing outcomes, the thing that makes Jackson such a dependable judge is her ability to handle her cases solely based on the facts and evidence, not her feelings.
“That’s something that is important to me,” Jackson said. “That no matter what my personal feelings are, I’m able to push those aside and judge the case based upon the merits. The higher calling in me as a public servant is what helps me decide to take a chance on someone.”
Jackson credits her pursuit of excellence to her parents and grandmother. She was heavily influenced by her mother and grandmother who taught her the value of kindness, friendship and fairness. Her father taught her the value of hard work and to keep Jesus as CEO of her life. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who displayed intelligence and strength throughout her career, served as Jackson’s role model. These characteristics, and her faith in God, play a large part in how she conducts herself personally and professionally.
“If someone is violating the law, I do believe that person needs to be punished,” Jackson said. “But I also believe that some nonviolent offenders can be rehabilitated and become productive members in the community. So when I make rulings on a case by case basis, I use my wisdom and discernment.”
In addition to saving and rehabilitating thousands of lives, sending many dangerous criminals to prison and protecting the community, Jackson has also made other significant accomplishments in her career. One of these achievements is the county-wide implementation on DWI probationers. She implemented more stringent conditions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) probationers.
DWI probationers were required to report every three months, but after noticing many gaps and loopholes in the system Jackson decided it needed to change. DWI probationers are now required to report once a month, and not allowed to drive during their probation period and must breathe into a breathalyzer, on camera, at least three times a day. Officials were so impressed with the outcome of the new procedure that the entire Harris County Probation Department adopted it.
All these accomplishments have led Jackson to her decision to run in the 2018 election for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Place 1, where her job will be to preside over, along with eight other judges, death penalty sentencing, and criminal appeals cases. Jackson wants to ensure that everyone has received a fair trial. Her hope is for no individual that comes through her courtroom to be wrongfully convicted or incarcerated.
“I represent fair justice and balance,” Jackson said, “And I bring with me the morals and ethics that it takes to be the Presiding Judge for the highest criminal court for the State of Texas. I want to make sure that no one is ever wrongfully convicted, and I want to make sure that dangerous criminals stay in prison.”
Jackson has received the support and endorsement of several well-known groups and organizations in Texas including the Dallas Morning News, all major Law Enforcement Organizations across the State of Texas, many Bar Associations and the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity just to name a few. She says these endorsements are important because it shows that she is trusted and respected.
“Endorsements are important because the citizens, in all 254 counties, put their faith in a lot of these organizations which have endorsed me,” Jackson said. “And they endorsed me because they know my record. I have been a judge for 15 years and I have remained the same.”
When asked why the citizens of Texas should vote for her, Jackson says that many people don’t ever think about judges until they need one, but judges play a bigger role than most people think.
“Most people say they want criminal justice reform,” she said. “Well, this court that I’m seeking, is at the very heart of criminal justice reform, and I have been working to reform the criminal justice system since the late 80s. It starts with training our youth and changing their trajectory instead of sending them to prison.”
Jackson’s skills and impressive record help qualify her for such a significant position. She believes that her honesty and integrity make her an ideal candidate for the job, and she has big plans in store for the State of Texas.
“I want to make major changes within our great State of Texas, where the laws will not be as imbalanced as they have been in the past,” Jackson said. “And I know I am the most qualified candidate to effect change within this court in the criminal justice system. I encourage voters to look at my past work and cast their vote for a candidate that cares for them.”
