(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in March. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. Much more information about Democratic primary candidates, including links to the interviews and judicial Q&As, can be found on Erik Manning’s spreadsheet.
1. Who are you and what are you running for?
I am Angela Lancelin, a Family law practitioner with extensive litigation experience throughout Harris and contiguous counties. My main practice area has been Family law. I have handled establishment and enforcement of child support orders in Texas, under the UIFSA, collection and enforcement of unpaid child support, asset forfeiture (foreclosure suits) probate, tax lien disputes, cps litigation and contested Bankruptcy issues. I am licensed in the Southern, Northern and Eastern Bankruptcy Districts. My duties also include complex litigation on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General that has been comprised of complex post judgment litigation. I am running for the 245th District Court.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
The 245th is a Family Court where matter concerning or related to Divorce, Sapcr, Cps, Adoptions, modification, enforcement related proceedings regarding post judgment property and child support matters. Family Courts also have to rule on matters related to Bankruptcy Stays/proceedings, Probate and civil asset forfeiture matters related to collection proceedings.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I believe being able to have a voice from the bench will allow my diverse work/ life experience and knowledge of Harris county’s underrepresented communities to further broaden my passion for public service. More specifically the current practice and policy for self-calendaring results in a lack of access to participate in the legal system. This system negatively impacts the underrepresented, low-income litigants who cannot afford or have access to internet service or a computer.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have 28 years of Family law experience including 26 years as an Assistant Attorney General assigned to region 6, Harris County. Designated as the Special Litigator for Regions 6, 5 and 10 (contiguous counties), to manage Bankruptcy claims and participate in adversarial hearings from date of filing to dismissal.
I have served as the IV- E (CPS) liaison in Harris and contiguous counties.
Prosecute contested hearings to establish parentage, enforce child support obligations, including child support collections in Tax, Probate, Criminal and Civil litigation matters.
Manage high volume and handle the complex litigation IV-D caseload in Harris and contiguous counties from intake to disposition.
5. Why is this race important?
This midterm election is crucial to determining if the underrepresented, low income, pro se, and private bar attorneys will be allowed meaningful access to the court.
6. Why should people vote for you in March?
I have devoted my legal career to public service. I have learned the art of active listening providing a safe place for each party to express their concerns without judgment. My distinct ability to relate and adapt to different fact patterns, combined with my compassion and knowledge of the law will provide a balanced and impartial setting.
Spinning Title IV-D credentials
RE: “This midterm election is crucial to determining if the underrepresented, low income, pro se, and private bar attorneys will be allowed meaningful access to the court.”
Gee … she has an extensive history in the routine infliction of pain in the name of the State, more specifically the Office headed by AG Ken Paxton. This judicial candidate has been a government lawyer-enforcer, not a promoter of the best interests of the child in divorces with children and custody and visitation disputes.
Okay, so somebody has to do it in keeping with legislative mandates (Title IV-D), including forcing minority men to be parents against their will (paternity establishment), and employing the coercive powers of the courts and the administrative apparatus of the state to reimburse the State for welfare payments to women choosing motherhood without a husband or at least a father-quality cohabitor. Racial disparity anyone?
But now this OAG collection attorney wants to parley her “passion” for squeezing blood from turnips (sometimes referred to less euphemistically as “deadbeats”) into credentials to ameliorate the lot of that segment of the plebs – low/no income and disproportionately black and Hispanic populations – as a family court presiding judge.
And regarding a commitment to improved and meaningful access to court.
— Huh? The targets of the OAG’s collection efforts are all defendants (respondents), not plaintiffs seeking relief (except in bankruptcy courts perhaps, when they are the filers/petitioners), with a further exception post-death when all that’s left is their estate, if any, and SS survivors benefits perhaps). If the live ones don’t show up after having been cited, it’s time for a default decree followed by garnishment of income (if they have any, via the employer), asset seizure (if there is anything that’s nonexempt), or capias for their arrest. Better access to court when hauled in?
Should we laugh or cry, or just shake our heads in wonderment?
Lingo notes:
pro se = famously fancy legal Latin for folks who can’t afford a lawyer, which mostly applies to involuntary “customers” of the courts. These folks are not *under*represented. They are *un*represented.
SAPCR = Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship
UIFSA = Uniform Interstate Family Supper Act
https://texaslawhelp.org/article/interstate-child-support-issues-uniform-interstate-family-support-act-uifsa
Title IV-D. Part of the Social Security Act of 1975 that requires, inter alia, that each state establish and run a child support enforcement program.The Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the official “Title IV-D agency” in Texas.