K. Knowledge
Katherine brings a wealth of knowledge and legal experience to the bench. She is a double HBCU graduate from Spelman and Howard University School of Law. She is an Assistant District Attorney Felony Prosecutor. As a prosecutor she possesses the necessary judgment to oversee the most serious cases because of her extensive trial background. Katherine has tried over 20 cases ranging from misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated to Sexual Assaults and Murder. In addition to the trial experience that Katherine possesses, Katherine is a native Houstonian. The combination of Katherine’s unique educational background and prosecutorial experience, has shaped her approach to addressing how crime affects our community and creating sustainable solutions to reduce crime and increase safety.
A. Accountability
Katherine wants a safer Harris County. Katherine believes that crime prevention first begins with accountability. Katherine wants to change systemic issues affecting the Harris County community. Katherine believes that balancing the court’s systems of bail reform and crime prevention are the first steps in change. Katherine will prioritize creating safe spaces for victims to share their lived experiences and addressing inequitable gaps in the law. Katherine understands the need to set appropriate bonds given the nature of the offense. Katherine is not afraid to revoke or set high bonds for repeat violent offenders and those who continue to violate bond conditions. Katherine also wants her constituents to hold her accountable by ensuring that cases do not languish for extensive periods of time without a resolution.
T. Trust
Katherine is passionate about ensuring trust back into communities that the criminal justice system has too often failed. Since her time at Howard University School of Law, she has seen first hand how the criminal justice system works against people of color and low-income communities. Katherine understands the plight that socioeconomic status, race and class uniquely play in the criminal justice system. Katherine will make rulings according to the Texas and United States Constitution, but most of all she will be fair. Katherine is committed to instilling confidence back into our community because she knows that an efficient criminal justice system values the rights of both the victims and defendants.
Community Court
The first change that I would implement if elected is a youth/community court. Katherine believes a challenge that is facing our Harris County community is an unbalanced system that limits access to resources for young men and women. Young men and women are facing unique issues. They face a system layered against them that breeds a lack of compassion and diligence to help them survive moments in their life and go on to recover from its consequences. If I am elected Judge, I plan to start a community court in the 184th to address these issues with young men and women and get them connected to mental health/drug treatment, leadership courses, job opportunities and training, and other resources to help shift the trajectory of their lives and course correct.
Court Watch
Katherine wants to partner with the community to foster accountability and aid in public trust. Court watch will be a voluntary program that will peer into the workings of the Harris County Courts. As Court watchers, volunteers will determine if justice is being administered fairly and efficiently. Volunteers will be trained on the Criminal Justice System, and will closely monitor court cases to ensure a productive judicial performance is being served. This free program will focus on repeat offenders to reduce crime in our community.