Local judges recognized for advanced education
San Jacinto News Times - December 2007

COLDSPRING -- The Honorable Harris Blanchette, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 and the Honorable Greg Magee, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 of San Jacinto County were recently inducted as charter members into Texas Justice Court Judges Association (JCJA) College of Justice Court Judges. The college encourages and recognizes judges who strive for advanced education over and above the state mandated education requirements. Judge Blanchette and Judge Magee were two of 91 justice court judges throughout the state to complete the requirements to qualify for the college. They completed a course of advance study of justice court jurisdictional issues. According to JCJA President Alice Tomerlin, “These judges should be congratulated and recognized for taking the initiative to acquire advanced study to enhance their judicial skills, which has a positive effect in the administration of law they offer their constituents.” Judge Magee is currently serving the JCJA as director for the Southeast Region of Texas. According to Judge Magee, the JCJA is an association that is dedicated to the educational and legislative needs of the Texas Justice Courts and their staffs. With the motto of “Excellence and Integrity,” the association believes better education, delivered in a cost effective manner, is the key to improving the image and the quality of Texas Justice Courts. “We are developing programs for the rural judge, the small town judge, the medium multifunctional judge, the metro judge, the attorney judge and the clerks in each of those courts,” said Magee, adding, “Different judges need different levels of training.” “The quality of instruction is what makes this association unique,” according to Judge Blanchette. “As an example, the instructors for the latest seminar included a former Supreme Court Justice, an Associate Dean for the University Of Texas School Of Law and a professor from the Baylor University Law School.” “We are proud to be getting that type of instruction because it better prepares us in serving our communities and administering justice,” said Judge Blanchette.