Thursday, April 25, 2024
Since 2009 Trent Farrell has served as judge of the 52nd State District Court, helping hand out justice in Central Texas.
During a Gatesville Lions Club meeting on April 19, Farrell gave an update on how busy the court system has been over the past 14 years.
"From 2009 until April 19, 2023, we have had a little less than 20,000 civil cases," he said. "With criminal cases, we've had a little less than 9,000. I was a little surprised by the sheer volume."
Farrell said his court recently had the opportunity to resolve a capital murder death penalty case on which Dusty Boyd served as prosecutor.
"Growing up here, the litigation we see is not the kind you'd expect in a small town," he said.
During that time period he said there have been 35 murder and capital murder cases.
"That's a large number, but we're talking about a 15-year period and a lot of growth in the county," Farrell said. "We have a lot of litigation out of the Killeen and Copperas Cove area."
Farrell said the state legislature keeps an eye on caseloads and works to make sure communities across Texas have access to justice.
"We were very fortunate when I first took the bench," he said. "The legislature looks at the state district courts' caseload and the population of an area. In 2017, there was a new legislative court bill and a new district court was added, the 440th. Judge Grant Kinsey has done a great job, and has served since he was appointed by Governor (Greg) Abbott in 2018."
While COVID-19 complications threw a monkey wrench into many parts of society, including the justice system, Farrell said officials and state leaders worked together to make the best out of a difficult situation.
"In 2020 the county had to figure out real quick how to continue to hear cases," he said. "The government enacted an emergency order and immediately told us to stop having in-person hearings and trials. Zoom (a remote communication platform via the internet) was set up for each court and also a YouTube channel for each court.
"The state of Texas did a great job. On March 12, 2020, we were on Zoom and YouTube hearing cases. In 2021, it transitioned back to in-person (hearings and trials). The cooperative effort enabled us to hear cases on Zoom. We would have dockets of 30, 50 or 60 cases. To have that many was a challenge but it was done. Cases were heard and all the criminal cases except for jury trials. That is one of the things I'm most proud of."
In late 2020, there were "two different thoughts about getting cases moving with trials," Farrell said. "Some courts, including city court in Austin, tried remote juries. They gave a laptop to each juror to participate at home, and there was some success.
"The other direction was the way we went. We put together a plan and had the (Gatesville) Civic Center available to us. We had folks come and spread out like the local health authority advised. We heard cases and worked to make that a priority."
Farrell said District Attorney Dusty Boyd closely monitors the work of his office and other offices to keep tabs on efficiency.
"He tracks everything he does — he tracks himself and other courts on how cases are moving," Farrel said. "We moved 13% of the cases in Texas in 2020, out of 254 counties. You can also thank District Clerk Becky Moore and her staff, the city, the sheriff's office and the county for working together. That's what allowed us to do that.
"There's an advantage to being small and getting everybody together to do the same thing."
While COVID-19 caused major disruptions, it also helped the court system adapt to challenges.
"We learned a lot during COVID, and we gained some things," Farrell said. "Zoom was one. The court wouldn't have been able to function as well otherwise and the state helped."
He said this has allowed some of the court proceedings to be done remotely, which eliminates or reduces travel time.
"We do as much as we can remotely with inmate criminal cases," Farrell said. "We are still using the civic center thanks to the county and the city's relationship. Using that has helped a lot, with the space available, the parking spots and the restrooms."
Commissioners have approved housing some of the county's justice departments in the Leon Street Annex, which Farrell said will also upgrade the county's ability to serve the people.
An important milestone is approaching, Farrell noted.
"The Coryell County Courthouse turns 125 this year, and there will be a celebration in June," he said. "Restoration is needed, and I believe the county is talking about it. This will be a long-term project that will help the county, and I hope y'all support that."
