Adam LaHood
From Ballotpedia
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Adam LaHood (Republican Party) ran for election for the Number 7 judge of the Bexar County Court of Law in Texas. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
LaHood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Adam LaHood was born in Austin, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in 2008 and a law degree from St. Mary's University in 2012. His career experience includes working as a criminal defense attorney and for the Texas Railroad Commission. LaHood has been affiliated with San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, State Bar of Texas and the San Antonio Bar Association.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Bexar County, Texas (2022)
General election
General election for Bexar County Court at Law No. 7
Melanie Lira defeated Adam LaHood in the general election for Bexar County Court at Law No. 7 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melanie Lira (D) | 57.4 | 298,100 | |
Adam LaHood (R)  | 42.6 | 221,440 | ||
| Total votes: 519,540 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Bexar County Court at Law No. 7
Melanie Lira defeated incumbent Michael De Leon in the Democratic primary for Bexar County Court at Law No. 7 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melanie Lira | 63.6 | 54,460 | |
 | Michael De Leon | 36.4 | 31,105 | |
| Total votes: 85,565 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Bexar County Court at Law No. 7
Adam LaHood advanced from the Republican primary for Bexar County Court at Law No. 7 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Adam LaHood | 100.0 | 65,007 | |
| Total votes: 65,007 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Adam LaHood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by LaHood's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a licensed attorney who has practiced for 9.5 years. I have dedicated the vast majority of my practice to criminal defense, specifically indigent defense. I was born and raised in Austin, TX, and moved to San Antonio in 2009 to attend law school. I have many family members who reside in San Antonio, and I attended church in San Antonio even when growing up, so I have spent considerable time in Bexar County. I am seeking election as judge of County Court at Law No. 7. In my time as a defense attorney, I have participated in approximately 100 jury trials, many of which I served as lead counsel. I will bring a high level of expertise and professionalism needed to preside over a Court, and make sure everyone is treated fairly and without bias or prejudice.
- Strong work ethic. I will make sure that I tackle the horrific backlog of cases which has plagued our Courts and work diligently every week to make sure that people are given trials in a timely manner.
- Judicial temperament and fairness to everyone. I will not play favorites or treat anyone in an unfair or disrespectful manner. Anybody who appears in my Court will be treated with respect, dignity and without bias or prejudice.
- Knowledge of the law. I have tried close to 100 cases, and resolved thousands of others throughout my career as a defense attorney. I am well versed in both criminal law and procedure, and will use that knowledge and experience to ensure that everybody receives a fair trial and/or disposition in my Court.
Indigent defense has been my passion for the entirety of my career! It is important that everyone, regardless of financial or societal status, is afforded competent and zealous representation. In my 9.5 years as an attorney, I have devoted the majority of my time representing those who were unable to afford to hire an attorney. I believe it is also important for the judiciary to work with both the District Attorney's office and defense attorneys to promote innovation in the criminal justice system that, when appropriate, offer alternatives to incarceration. It is my hope that the Court system offers means of rehabilitation to those that need it, and provide people with a path forward that allows them to become productive members of society.
I look up to both of my parents and my older brother. All three of them display and exemplify a fantastic work ethic, dedication and integrity. I believe I am only the man I am today because of their positive influences on me growing up. I was blessed and fortunate beyond measure to grow up and have such a fantastic family. My dad always stressed the importance of a college education, and he was a large part of the reason I attended law school. My father served as a police officer for over 20 years, and treated everyone fairly. It is a lesson and example I will strive to abide by every day I serve as judge. My mother worked for the Texas Railroad Commission and was one of the highest-ranking officials. Her intelligence, creativity and problem-solving skills always inspired me. My brother works for Austin Police Department and is someone I have always looked up to and respected. His examples taught me patience and how to approach difficult problems and reach favorable outcomes. All three of my immediate family members helped shape me into a successful attorney, and I cannot imagine where I would be in life if not for their profound influences on me.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" (both the film and book) embodies the need for zealous representation and has always been a personal favorite of mine. "12 Angry Men" is another film displaying the importance of the criminal justice system. Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was greatly influential in the formation of the US Constitution, and is still relevant nearly 250 years later.
Honesty and integrity. Our legal system is based upon seeking justice and the truth. I think no one should exemplify these traits more than a judge. Fairness to all persons is absolutely necessary as a judge as well. There is no place for favoritism, cronyism or otherwise treating attorneys or defendants differently. Everyone must be equal when appearing before a Court.
I have the patience, intelligence experience and personality which is needed to be an effective judge. I would treat everyone fairly and equally without bias or prejudice.
To administer a Court and make sure that cases are pressed to a resolution. It is not my job to seek convictions, or for people to plea; that is certainly an option but we must respect the sacred right to a jury trial in all criminal cases. I believe nobody is served by unnecessarily delaying cases for months or years due to laziness, lack of work ethic or otherwise administering an inefficient Court. A judge should be respectful of everyone's time; attorneys and defendants alike.
To be remembered as someone who lived their life with integrity and honesty.
I remember watching the fall of the Berlin Wall on television when I was 4 years old. I did not fully understand the significance at the time, obviously, but I very clearly recall watching the news in our living room as the events unfolded and the shock and emotion from my parents.
I always kept busy with chores and other projects around the house helping my parents, cutting the neighbors' yards, and doing other miscellaneous tasks to earn money. However, my first job was a summer job. I worked moving furniture when I was 14 years old. It lasted throughout the summer.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey. It's hard to say why it's my favorite for any one reason. It's a perfect balance of drama, emotion and dark comedy that all comes together for a fantastic reading experience.
Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings.
"Somebody to Love" by Queen.
Life is full of struggles, mine included. I believe the last two years in dealing with COVID, and the mass shutdowns that resulted therefrom, were some of the most challenging for many Americans, and I was certainly no exception. Being in private practice, which is devoted largely to criminal defense, resulted in a near-standstill of business due to a lack of jury trials and dockets being held. Fortunately, the Courts have reopened and cases are being resolved once again.
I think there is a lot of misconceptions about what judges do and don't do. First and foremost, judges are not, and should not, be prosecutors. We are not there to present evidence and seek convictions. A judge should strive to see that the law is applied fairly and equally to everyone. They should hear a case without a preconceived notion or opinion about who might be guilty or not. When I was campaigning and gathering support for my primary election, the a common question I was asked was how I would lower taxes! County Court at Law judges do not create policy or set tax rates for the County, etc. The particular Court for which I am seeking election is a designated Family Violence Court. It used to be that only two misdemeanor Courts heard family violence cases, but due to the incredible backlog created in part by the COVID 19 pandemic, that responsibility has been spread among other Courts as well. Family violence cases present unique challenges for all parties involved which requires a skilled judge to make sure the law is administered fairly and consistently in all cases.
Obedience to the law. Neil Gorsuch, an Associated Justice of the US Supreme Court and a jurist I admire very much, tells his law clerks he has only two rules. As he explained during his vetting process: "Rule number one: Don't make it up -- follow the law. Rule number two: when everybody else around you is yelling at you, asking you to make it up and condemning you for not making it up, refer to rule number one." It is not our place to judge laws, only to see that the law is followed and applied equally to everyone. The job of commenting on, and changing, laws should be left to our elected legislatures.
I admire Neil Gorsuch of the United States Supreme Court. His opinions exemplify my personal philosophy of following the law and not letting personal bias or prejudice interfere. Throughout my time practicing, I have had the privilege of practicing in front of many judges who I admire greatly. A far-from-exhaustive list would include Judge Ron Rangel, Judge Kevin O'Connell, Judge Sid Harle and Judge Jackie Valdes are among some of the finest judges I could imagine practicing in front of. All of them embody the type of temperament, professionalism and skillful knowledge that helps shape a person into a fantastic judge and attorney.
Absolutely! Every case is unique and every person is different. The motives and reasons for any alleged offense vary drastically. It is important to empathize and understand how or why something happened. If there are underlying issues (such as substance abuse, PTSD, mental health issues, etc.) simply administering punishment for an offense does not serve a defendant or the community at large. Only by understanding how and why an offense occurred can there be an appropriate punishment and/or rehabilitative plan.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not been rated by a Bar Association. I have been named as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star for several years, though, as voted on by my peers. Numerous other accolades and honors have been presented as well. I have never really paid attention or put much stock into those types of surveys, though. I strive to do the best I can for my clients and work hard in all of my cases.
I believe it is a Court in dire need of better administration. As I mentioned in my previous post, there is a backlog of cases unlike any I have ever seen. This particular Court was, and continues to be, among the most backlogged. The citizens of Bexar County deserve better, and need a judge who will work hard, and make sure that the Court is run to its full potential every day.
I think it can be detrimental in some instances. When people stop caring about their duties, and only want to act as a politician, they may say and do what sounds and looks good while otherwise failing at their duties for their elected office, namely a judicial bench. This is not to say that all political experience is bad. Part of politics is reaching out and connecting with the community, and I think that is very important. Many voters do not educate themselves on judicial candidates or simply do not know due to the confusing nature of the system, the number of candidates, etc. Political outreach is an opportunity to help people receive your message and decide whether they agree with your legal philosophy, etc. Government experience can be beneficial as well, but it is not nearly as important as legal experience.
There are many, but the biggest concern is the backlog of cases we are facing. It is created delays of several years or more for some clients who will continue to wait before they can have their day in Court.
I think the criminal justice system has the opportunity to make sure that all indigent defendants receive the best representation possible. I am proud of the systems we have in place in Bexar County, but it is good to continue to work on ways to innovate and improve it at all times. I am passionate about indigent defense, and have devoted the majority of my career to it. I hope to see it to continue to evolve and improve over time.
I have not considered it. I am focused on serving Bexar County in the capacity as the judge of County Court at Law No. 7.
Not necessarily. The number of people who are asked, the type of attorney who is asked and overall personal bias or favoritism can greatly affect any such rating system.
What did the fish say when he swam into a concrete wall?
Dam!
Dam!
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See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 27, 2022
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