So who is Steve Burgess? What do the citizens of Denton County, as well as the local attorneys, need to know about the incoming judge? Victor Rivera with The Wright Firm, LLP, has taken the time to sit down with Steve Burgess to find out a little more about him, his family, his history, and the future of the 158th District Court.
[Victor Rivera]: Steve, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your family.
[Steve Burgess]: I am a Christian attorney who primarily practices criminal defense. I have been happily married for 14 years to the love of my life, Amy. We have five children: Paige (13), Zachary (11), Josh (10), Corin (6), and Grace (4). We are also expecting our sixth child around the end of November. So, at the end of this year, not only will I be adjusting to a career change but I will also be adjusting to the 2 a.m. wake-ups with our new baby.
[Victor Rivera]: Can you tell me about your educational and legal background?
[Steve Burgess]: I graduated from Lewisville High School in 1983. I then went on to earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Accounting from California State University, Long Beach, in 1988. I remained in California and eventually decided to pursue a law degree. I attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California, and graduated in 1994. I took and passed the California bar exam but before firmly planting my feet in California as a lawyer, I decided to return to Texas. I took the Texas Bar exam in 1995 and the rest is history. Since returning to Texas, I have been practicing law in Denton County. During the first several years of my practice, I guess I was considered a general practitioner. My cases consisted of family law, criminal defense, bankruptcy and general civil litigation cases; experience that will benefit me as the judge of a court of general jurisdiction. Eventually I narrowed down my practice to only family law and criminal defense. However, after many years of tackling these two areas of law, I noticed that my criminal practice was growing faster than my family practice. In addition, I realized that family law cases are office driven while criminal cases are docket driven and I wanted to spend my time in the courtroom. Thus, I decided to concentrate on criminal cases, although I still dabble in low cost or pro bono family cases.
[Victor Rivera]: How did you end up in politics?
[Steve Burgess]: I never imagined I would be in politics and I do not consider myself a politician. However, when I look back on my life, I guess the signs were there. To begin with, while in high school, I did work on local, Congressional, and Presidential campaigns, although it was nothing more than licking stamps and stuffing envelopes. In addition, my father, Vic Burgess, has been in politics. My father began his political career as a Lewisville City Councilmember before becoming a Denton County Judge. Most recently, my dad was the Mayor of Corinth. Thus, my family’s ties to Denton are strong. Finally, for many that may not recall, this current election was not my first election. I ran in 2008 for the 393rd Judicial District Court. Although I pulled 47% of the vote in the primaries and was in a runoff election, I eventually lost the position to the now presiding judge, the Honorable Doug Robinson. To me, being involved in public service is a good thing and I did not want to sit on the sidelines complaining when I could make a difference. Thus, I decided to become a judge because I wanted to be in a position where I could help more people and I believe this can be done as a judge versus becoming a congressperson.
[Victor Rivera]: So what is the public to expect from Steve Burgess once you put on that robe in January?
[Steve Burgess]: Honestly, I know it will take a while before people learn how I handle the various types of cases and what I expect in my courtroom. Until that happens, what I hope the public and attorneys alike will see is that I will give each side their opportunity to raise their issues and defenses; however, I will enforce the law as it is written. I am not going to read into what the law says and will expect the parties to present all their evidence. I also want everyone to know that I am willing to make a ruling that although is may not be the popular decision, it will be the right decision because follows the law. I am a firm constitutionalist and I believe that the Constitution is black and white and not always evolving as some claim. It is what it is. I do not want to be seen as a judge that is too lenient but I also do not want to be categorized as a “hanging judge.” I want everyone to see that I will be neither pro-Defense nor pro-Prosecutor; everyone will get the same chance in my court. In addition, I have no bias for either gender so when I am hearing a family law case, it will be all about the facts and what is best for the child(ren). Furthermore, in regards to family law cases, I will be willing to accept an agreement of the parties so long as it follows the law and the facts allow it. The last thing I want to do is to put a child in a dangerous situation. As time goes by, I hope that everyone will notice how I am more civil to the attorneys and the public.
All in all, Steve Burgess wants to help victims of crime and wants to ensure that justice is just. He wants to help families that are going through the difficult divorce process and looks forward to granting adoptions as those are considered feel good cases. He believes a courtroom should be a forum where everyone that needs to be heard can be. He is looking forward to the challenge and is already preparing for the transition by scheduling various continuing legal education (CLE) courses in various areas of law. He understands that this court is a court of general jurisdiction and will be prepared for everything that comes his way. At the Wright Firm, we extend our hand of congratulations and welcome Steve Burgess to this prestigious position.
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