Francis

THIS EDITION Volume 21, No. 2 February 27, 2003

Front Page

District judge
talks law with Bach’s class

“It was a blast working in the District Attorney’s office for five years, just out of law school,” said Criminal District Judge Robert W. Francis to Dr. Gabriel Bach’s government students last week.

Under intense student questioning, the judge shared with the students his experience as an elected District Judge since 1997. He deals with over 1,100 cases a year, most being disposed by plea bargain, some pleading guilty and the remaining 35 being trials lasting a week each.

Judge Francis is the only criminal District Judge in Texas who developed a probation program for substance abuse felony cases.

“It costs the state $2 for one to be on probation and $40 a day in jail,” said Francis. “Anyway you look at it, it makes sense for me to emphasize rehabilitation and I’m trying to convince legislators in Austin to implement this unique program statewide.

“When I look at a case,” he added, “my first priority is public safety, the second is what’s best for the person being judged and the third is the cost to society.”

Other guests on Dr. Bach’s agenda include Mike Eastland on Feb. 28, the Irving city Manager on March 3, Chris Wallace on March 19, the Irving mayor on March 21, Farmers Branch Councilman P. Walden on March 24 and DCCCD Trustee Jeff Binford on March 25.

For more information about the guest speakers, call Bach at 972-273-3553.