Welcome to the website for Judge Melissa Goodwin and the 427th District Court

To my friends, voters and supporters,

Thank you for your interest in the 427th District Court of Travis County and Judge Melissa Goodwin.  It has been a privilege to serve as Judge of the 427th.  If you are already familiar with my campaign and just want to know what you can do NOW to help, please click here. 

The 427th District Court is a new court, created to reduce the dockets of the 6 felony district courts of Travis County and to assure prompt resolution of some of the most serious felony cases in the area.  The 427th is a court of general jurisdiction, meaning civil and criminal trials could be conducted; however, by law, the Court is to give priority to felony criminal cases.  As a result, I try criminal cases almost exclusively. 

A Court Governed by the Constitution and the Rule of Law

The docket of the 427th includes some of the most serious of felony cases, including attempted capital murder, murder, aggravated sexual assault, crimes against children, and property and drug offenses.  Resolution of these cases involves either the invocation or waiver of constitutional or statutory rights.  The facts in each case differ greatly.  As such, each of these cases must be guided by principles firmly rooted in the United States Constitution and Texas law.  I remain committed to assuring that each case is considered under the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Texas, and strictly applying those laws to the unique facts of each case presented. 

Jury Trials and Jury Service

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury..."  The right to a jury trial is one of the most important rights that we all possess.  At the 427th District Court, a jury trial is conducted every other week.  I consider it a privilege, every day, to be involved in that process.  I am also firmly committed to the doctrine of Open Courts as expressed in the Texas Constitution.  In that regard, I would like to invite you to come watch a jury trial and personally observe our Constitution in action - it is, after all, your court!  If you are interested in viewing a jury trial, please see the calendar page of this website for scheduled trial dates and other events.  If you are interested in the docket for all of the  criminal courts, please click here. 

For those called to jury service, please remember that it is an important duty that we all share.  By participating in jury selection you help preserve important constitutional rights that we all posses, and you give crime victims an opportunity to be heard.  It can be very difficult serving on a jury, but no jury trial can be conducted without the help and the support of the community!  I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for those who have already participated in the jury selection process in the 427th and I sincerely hope that those of you called to serve in the future find the experience rewarding.  For more information on the jury process in Travis County, please click here. 

Real Trial Experience Working For You 

Jury trials aren't the only proceedings in the 427th, I also preside over preliminary hearings, motions and trials before the court; however, jury trials remain the most important function of any District Court.  I consider it my primary responsibility and I am proud to have tried more cases before a jury in a single month than any other candidate for this bench in the past 19 years.  I hope I can count on your support, so that I might keep working for you!

Melissa             

Judge Melissa Goodwin