Candidate profile: Deborah Perry, County Court at Law Judge

Deborah Perry is campaigning for County Court at Law judge on a platform of efficiency and transparency, pledging to address what she describes as administrative stagnation that has left cases sitting dormant for years.

Perry appeared on “The Lead Live” the morning after a Republican Party candidate forum that both she and host Louis Amestoy criticized for poor moderation and irrelevant questions. Perry called the event a “cattle call” where questions failed to address the actual duties of the position.

“The moderator was trying to get in too many questions and didn’t have a lot to do with what we do,” Perry said.

Perry identified two major issues in the current court administration. First, she said cases are stalling for extended periods, creating real-world consequences for citizens.

“We have family law cases that are sitting there for three years,” Perry said. “On some of the criminal cases, yes, they’re sitting there. People are on bond for three years. That’s terrible.”

She said these delays compound problems for defendants who struggle to find employment with pending criminal cases. Perry pledged to initiate a “docket control order” similar to those used in felony cases to ensure cases move forward.

Second, Perry criticized the overuse of remote technology like Zoom, arguing it hinders justice and attorney-client communication while serving as a crutch for the court.

“You sit there and you try to talk with the prosecutor. They put you into these side rooms on Zoom. You get to talk to your client one time,” Perry said. “If you don’t get a resolution, reset.”

Perry said Zoom has its place for witnesses in other states or doctors but needs to be used properly. “We need transparency. We need to bring our people back into the courtroom,” she said.

Perry highlighted the severity of substance abuse in the community, noting that COVID-19 and the July 4 flood have exacerbated mental health struggles. She voiced support for the new specialty mental health court initiated by outgoing Judge Harris.

“In Kerr County, we have an immense problem with that. COVID hurt us. It hurt our children. Then we have the flood and the mental health just keeps spiraling,” Perry said.

Perry emphasized her deep roots and experience in closing her pitch to voters: “I am experienced. I have decades of family law, criminal experience. I love this county. I love the people, but we deserve better.”