Steve Burgess brings extensive legal experience, a Christian outlook and a black and white view of the constitution into the race for 158th District Judge position, currently held by incumbent Jake Collier. Burgess said he is running against Collier because he would bring a more appropriate judicial temperament to the job.  Burgess is not related to popular Rep. Michael Burgess, but his family has long been active in local politics. The judicial candidate's father, Vic Burgess has held elective office much of his life, serving as Denton County judge, Lewisville City Councilman and most recently Corinth Mayor. The family has always looked on public service as an honor and a duty, Burgess said during an interview at the News Connection offices.  

     An experienced attorney who has been practicing in Denton County since 1996, Burgess takes issue with assertions by the Collier campaign that he lacks trial  experience, reporting that, as an attorney, he has conducted  more than 30 jury trials including a week-long felony trial in Dallas County in which he won acquittal for his client. Burgess said he has worked in hundreds of contested cases and hearings in a range from family law to criminal defense. He has frequently served as guardian ad litem for children under the care of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Burgess ran for the 393rd District Court position two years ago, coming in first in the primary, then, narrowly losing out to Doug Robison in the runoff.       

     Burgess is so anxious to serve that he is working to knock on 5000 doors around Denton County to meet voters and convince them he is the right man for the job. He's refinanced a vehicle and his home to put together the $50,000 to $55,000 he estimates it will take a run a good county-wide campaign.  Discussing judicial salary of approximately $130,000 per year, Burgess said he has a successful private practice that provides comparable income.  "It's not about the money," he said, noting it has long been his desire to serve the public as a judge. Burgess has been among many who have praised Collier for his work ethic and accessibility; qualities Burgess said he would emulate as a district judge.  However, he contends Collier simply does not have the appropriate judicial demeanor to always inspire respect and confidence of those conducting business before the court. “I will not curse or yell from the bench,” Burgess said. "Part of what you do as a judge is exercise patience."  Burgess notes that often, people before the court, whether for a divorce or criminal proceedings, are unfamiliar with process and procedures.  The behavior of the judge will have a major impact on what they consider appropriate courtroom behavior.    

     Burgess also takes issue with Collier's pronouncement that the "War on Drugs" has been a failure.  Burgess is opposed to Collier's contention and said, "It's not for a judge to take a stand."  Issues like that are for legislators, he said. Though most people seldom need access to the district court, it's important for voters to be concerned about the court and its performance, said the candidate.  A good district judge will be fair, but also work to efficiently bring prosecutions and civil trials to closure. It's easy to overlook the needs of crime victims when court proceedings drag on, he said. As for criticism of his role in helping defendants avoid conviction, Burgess noted that the job of criminal defense attorney is critical to the function or our nation's system of constitutional justice. Burgess adds that he does not buy the argument that the U.S. Constitution is a "living, breathing document" that evolves according to society's needs. He sees it more as a "black and white document that means what it says."  He particularly takes issues with government intrusion on the Second Amendment’s protection of the "right to keep and bear arms."

Burgess invites those with interest in his campaign to visit his website at www.steveburgessforjudge.com.