Carissa Grady

What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?

My several years with Harris County while at the Justice of the Peace and with the County Attorney’s Office has provided me with a wealth of knowledge from several aspects of the court system. In addition to my hands on experience, my educational career has taught me how to better analyze, assess, and correct the deficits in our criminal justice system.

How do decisions made by Justices of the Peace impact the everyday lives of the people of Harris County?

This position has a great impact on our community. It is often referred to as the People’s aCourt, and is a place where individuals should be able to go to court and represent themselves without being at a disadvantage. This position should assist the public in navigating through the court system and provide the proper resources for defendants who are in need of such. Additionally, the Judge’s decisions in eviction dockets have a direct impact on its community members.

What initiatives will you implement to facilitate the resolution of the small claims cases and landlord-tenant disputes that come before your court?

Sooner intervention by the Judge would allow quicker resolve alongside alternative resources such as mediation to allow the parties to seek a resolution amicably. Upholding the law is first and foremost, but if settlement agreements can be made that appeal to both parties in place of a judgment, I would seek out alternatives first as opposed to the current process of swift/hard judgments.