In the mid 90’s, County Court #7 was designated as the domestic violence court for Bexar County by agreement of the County Court judges and the District Attorney’s Office. The court has continued to be the domestic violence court of Bexar County. Since the 90’s, there has been an escalation in the number of cases that have been filed on a yearly basis in County Court #7.

When the opportunity arose for me to run for office in 2002, I embraced the chance to make a difference in my community. Although most political pundits considered me a long shot, I strove to prove them wrong by running an effective grassroots campaign. It was at that time that I block walked and sold barbecue plates for the chance at becoming a judge.

Running for office was a very eye-opening experience and I am glad I took the chance. I was elected in November of 2002. I inherited a large backlog of cases that I have worked diligently to eliminate. The statistics show that I have consistently had the highest numbers of disposed cases for each year that I have been in office. The numbers are the highest of any county court.

The problem of domestic violence is a pervasive problem that affects all aspects of our community. It is not a problem that is confined to a certain segment of society. It affects the medical community when a battered woman cannot pay her health care bill for services rendered. It affects the employers when the battered spouse is powerless to work because of injuries or telephone harassment. It affects teachers when their students who live in abusive households are unable to concentrate in school because they are worried or the conditions at home prevent them from getting a decents night's rest.

In 2002, when the voters of Bexar County elected me to be the judge, I guaranteed that I would work hard to address this issue. I wanted to make sure that families who were in crisis would receive the help they needed. Each case is dealt with on an individual basis. It is important to me that the problem is treated and not just the symptoms. If there is a need to intervene with parenting classes, drug counseling, alcohol counseling, cognitive restructuring, or batterer’s intervention, the cure is tailored to the individual family. It is important to treat each case on a case by case basis to ensure that families stay structurally sound. I have worked hard to make sure that each case is handled fairly and impartially.

I have also tried to use innovative ideas to treat offenders. I was the first judge to use the secure continuous remote alcohol monitor or SCRAM in domestic violence cases. This device measures alcohol consumption by testing a defendant’s perspiration every half hour. The body, throught perspiration, eliminates alcohol and ifan offender is consuming alcohol, this device detects that use. I have received some very positive response from family members who have told me that they are happy to have their spouse back because the spouse is no longer drinking. The success rate on the monitor has been very high and the offenders complete their probation with a new outlook on life as a clean and sober individual.

Along with my duties in the courtroom, I also take these lessons out to the schools. I am an active participant in the Courts in Schools program that takes real cases out to the high schools and middle schools. This program allows our community children to observe the court process without ever leaving the school setting. The program has received very positive feedback and the schools request the program to return year after year.

It has been an honor and a privilege to have served my community these past three and a half years as the judge of County Court #7. I am again asking for your vote and your confidence to know that I am still the best candidate for this position. I have a great record that is substantiated by the numbers provided by the County Court Administrative offices. I want to continue this work. I am currently in the process of applying for a $1,000,000 grant to enforce violations of protective orders. I have been the writer and recipient of grant money in the past for the community supervisions department to hire additional personnel.

Although I have achieved the original goals that I set out for the court, the work is not complete. I am again asking for your vote on November 7, 2006, to continue the progress made and to move forward in addressing the issue of domestic violence. Together, we can make a difference in our community because ultimately, love should not hurt.

Pol. Adv. Paid by Monica Guerrero Campaign
Ron Wilson, Treasurer, 5804 Babcock Rd. #301, San Antonio, Texas 78240