I am a 42-year veteran Prosecutor (television clips), Chief Prosecutor (newspaper clips) and criminal defense lawyer – and I created this website to acknowledge the excellent efforts of my colleagues who work with felonies and misdemeanors at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston, Texas.
Show Me The Justice Lawyer Jeff Ross – The “Rosster”
I publish trials in progress, trial verdicts, in-trial pleas and dismissals, trial setting dismissals, trial standings, judge standings, lawyer statistics, lawyer standings, photos and other court news and nuggets.
“My goal is to shine a light on the fine prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and other courthouse personnel who serve the interest of justice in our community. Our work is the last line of defense for those who will lose their freedom or become free. Thanks to all for your fine work!”
For additions, deletions, corrections or to send a head shot or trial victory in another county please contact me at (cell) 713-582-4462 or (email) jeffross486@gmail.com
Published: Weekly – Every Friday by 5pm – Publishing deadline is 3pm Fridays – First Publication February 2017
“TRIAL IN PROGRESS” – HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE. Trials in Progress are updated twice-a-day and the information is gathered from the Harris County District Clerk’s website – “preview docket sheet” found under the“images” tab of the case summary page
AUG 31st –updated 6a
174th Court
INDECENCY WITH A CHILD
1931387 – Prosecutors Nevin Day and Dylan Larsen – Defense Cheryl Brown and Brigida Pirra (judge Hazel Jones presiding: jury deliberated 11:28a – 5:10p August 28th – to continue deliberations 9:30a August 31st)
209th Court
CAPITAL MURDER
1862632 – Prosecutors Erandy Marquez and Brianna Perry – Defense Paul Morgan, Mike Haddad and Stephanie Morales(judge Brian Warren presiding: state’s case resumes 9:30a August 31st)
Allegedly, per indictment, while in the course of committing Burglary of a Habitation the defendant Nathaniel Sewall shot and killed the owner with a firearm.
230th Court
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
1863311 – Prosecutor Tiffany Caudill – Defense Kandice Horsey (judge Chris Morton presiding: opening statements 9:30a August 31st)
351st Court
MURDER
1703697 – Prosecutors Ellie Fossier and Rachel Barlow – Defense Nancy Knox-Bierman and William Cheadle(judge Nata Cornelio presiding: punishment evidence continues 10:30a August 31st)
Kelly Slayton, 24, has been charged with murder after missing Houston man Joshua Pavey, 30, was found fatally shot inside her northwest Harris County apartment.
According to court records, Pavey suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. Investigators were led to Slayton after she was arrested near Fort Worth following an alleged road-rage shooting and police chase while driving Pavey’s vehicle.
Surveillance video reportedly showed Slayton and Pavey entering the apartment, but Pavey was never seen leaving. Slayton was later recorded removing items from the apartment and eventually leaving in Pavey’s vehicle.
Pavey was last seen December 19 and was reported missing after he failed to show up for work. Investigators subsequently searched Slayton’s apartment and discovered his body in a bedroom.
Slayton is charged with murder. The charge is an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
1901532 – Prosecutors Alex Nutt and Paul Escamilla – Defense Jerome Godinich(judge Peyton Peebles presiding: jury deliberated 1:36p – 4:57p August 27th – jury deliberated 9a – 4:02p August 28th – Allen charge 10:38a – HUNG JURY)
Allegedly, per indictment, the defendant Arnold Sandoval III ignited a flammable liquid with the intent to burn down a building
ERD Court
SEXUAL ASSAULT
1797634 – Prosecutors Jay Gordon and Lisa Calligan – Defense Wilvin Carter and Teresa Lakho(visiting judge Marc Brown presiding, 4th floor Family Law Center: punishment evidence to continue 9:30a August 31st)
ERD Court
CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD
1719058 – Prosecutors Marie Defretin and Radarius Morrow – Defense Brett Podolsky and Matthew Sharp(visiting judge Lisa Burkhalter picked the jury, 4th floor Family Law Center: opening statements 9:15a August 31st)
Harris County Criminal Justice Center TRIAL WINNERS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 24, 2026: Prosecutors Brekeese Pierce, Kimberly Smith, Jacob Salinas, Anthony Esparza, and Galilea Ibarra Defense Attorneys Sarah Gaucher, Duncan Isaac, Michael Roman, Jedrick Burgos Amador, Robert Williams II, Arienna Toh, Julie Ketterman Webb, Daniel Rodriguez, and Deisy Villanueva . Congratulations on a job well done!
This week’s Harris County criminal jury trial results include guilty verdicts, not guilty verdicts, and other trial outcomes from courts throughout the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. ShowMeTheJustice.com updates these trial results weekly as part of its ongoing coverage of criminal justice in Houston, Texas.
Congratulations to Prosecutor Jacob Salinas for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Murder
Sentence: To Be Determined
(judge Lori Chambers Gray presiding – 262nd Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1803868) co-counsel Anthony Esparza
Congratulations to Prosecutor Kimberly Smith for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Murder
Sentence: To Be Determined
(judge Josh Hill presiding – 232nd Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1851640)
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Arienna Toh for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
(judge Michele Oncken presiding – 338th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1941840) co-counsel Julie Ketterman Webb
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Julie Ketterman Webb for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
(judge Michele Oncken presiding – 338th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1941840) co-counsel Arienna Toh
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Michael Roman for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Assault Family Member – Choking
(visiting judge Lisa Burkhalter presiding – 184th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1940756) co-counsels Jedrick Burgos Amador and Robert Williams II
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Jedrick Burgos Amador for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Assault Family Member – Choking
(visiting judge Lisa Burkhalter presiding – 184th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1940756) co-counsels Michael Roman and Robert Williams II
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Robert Williams II for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Assault Family Member – Choking
(visiting judge Lisa Burkhalter presiding – 184th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1940756) co-counsels Jedrick Burgos Amador and Michael Roman
Congratulations to Prosecutor Galilea Ibarra for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Sarah Gaucher for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
DWI
(judge LInda Garcia presiding – CCL16 – jury trial – Cause Number 2595605) co-counsel Duncan Isaac
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Duncan Isaac for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
DWI
(judge LInda Garcia presiding – CCL16 – jury trial – Cause Number 2595605) co-counsel Sarah Gaucher
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Deisey Villanueva for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
DWI
(judge Andrew Wright presiding – CCL7 – jury trial – Cause Number 2603592)co-counsel Daniel Rodriguez(Mario Santos Law Firm)
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Daniel Rodriguez for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
DWI
(judge Andrew Wright presiding – CCL7 – jury trial – Cause Number 2603592)co-counsel Deisy Villanueva(Mario Santos Law Firm)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Brekeese Pierce for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Evading Arrest with a Vehicle
Sentence: 5 Years in Prison
(judge Chris Morton presiding – 230th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1916217)
Show Me The Justice acknowledges the hard work and dedication from Prosecutors Cody Kelemen and Sara Singer and Defense Attorneys Terrance Jewett and Scott Chapmann in Cause Number 1958216 out of the 263rd Criminal District Court which resulted in a Hung Jury for the offense of
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
judge Melissa Morris presiding – jury trial)
ShowMeTheJustice.com is the leading independent source for Harris County criminal trial statistics, jury verdicts, attorney leaderboards, judicial activity, trial-setting dismissals, sentencing data, and courthouse news. Our database tracks thousands of criminal jury trials and continues to grow with weekly updates from the Harris County Criminal Courthouse.
Note: This scoreboard may not be 100% accurate as I could have missed some mistrials that occurred at the early stages of the trial or a quick court trial that lasted a couple of hours….. but it is close to 100%.
Harris County Prosecutors Turn the Tables in 2026: State Dominating the Misdemeanor Courts
For years, anyone who regularly follows jury trials at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse has seen a familiar pattern: prosecutors generally dominate felony trials, while the misdemeanor courts tend to be a much more difficult battleground for the State.
Not in 2026.
Through August 21, Harris County prosecutors are putting together an unusually strong year in the misdemeanor courts, and the numbers are striking.
According to trial results compiled by ShowMeTheJustice.com, Harris County has completed 435 criminal jury trials so far in 2026. Prosecutors have obtained 246 guilty verdicts, compared with 94 not guilty verdicts for the defense. Another 30 cases were dismissed during trial, 33 resulted in pleas during trial, 30 ended in mistrials or hung juries, and two fell into the “other” category.
That means that among the 340 trials that actually reached a guilty or not guilty verdict, the State has won approximately 73%.
But the real story this year may be found downstairs in the misdemeanor courts.
Misdemeanor Prosecutors Are Having an Exceptional Year
Through August 28, misdemeanor prosecutors have recorded 71 guilty verdicts compared with only 43 not guilty verdicts for the defense.
That’s a State winning percentage of approximately 63% of misdemeanor trials reaching a verdict.
For courthouse regulars, that number jumps off the page.
Historically, misdemeanor jury trials can be difficult for prosecutors. Many of the assistant district attorneys assigned to those courts are relatively young lawyers in the early stages of their careers. They are often learning how to select a jury, examine witnesses, introduce evidence and deliver closing arguments while facing defense attorneys who may have been trying criminal cases for decades.
That experience gap has traditionally helped make the misdemeanor courts one of the places where the defense could hold its own—or even finish the year ahead of the prosecution.
The 2026 prosecutors have turned that conventional wisdom upside down.
A 71-43 advantage is not a narrow lead. The State has produced nearly 71% more guilty verdicts than the defense has produced acquittals in misdemeanor trials.
That is an impressive performance for a group that includes many prosecutors still relatively early in their courtroom careers.
Source: ShowMeTheJustice.com trial statistics
Search and compare Harris County criminal trial results for prosecutors and defense attorneys from 2017 to the present. This easy-to-read spreadsheet tracks guilty and not guilty verdicts from Harris County criminal courts and allows users to quickly review individual attorney trial records and courtroom results. Find prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers by name and compare their reported jury and judge trial outcomes compiled by ShowMeTheJustice.com.
Search Harris County felony and misdemeanor criminal court trial and verdict results by judge from 2019 to the present. This easy-to-read spreadsheet tracks guilty and not guilty verdicts in criminal cases and allows users to compare trial outcomes before individual Harris County criminal court judges. Search judges by name and review their reported jury and judge trial results compiled by ShowMeTheJustice.com.
Show Me The Justice congratulates Defense Attorney Matt Perezfor earning 10 “Not Guilty” Verdicts since 2017
Matt is tied for NUMBER 19 on the “Rosster” of TRIAL LAWYERS WITH THE MOST WINSSINCE 2017
Leading Defense Attorneys for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts since February 2017 – OVER 2,000 PRACTICING DEFENSE ATTORNEYS at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse (stats taken from above spreadsheet)
Note: The following spreadsheets, standings, charts, graphs and compilations may NOT be 100% accurate and should not be relied upon as authoritative information.
Weekly Harris County Trial-Setting Dismissals
ShowMeTheJustice.com recognizes the following Harris County criminal defense attorneys who obtained trial-setting dismissals this week. A trial-setting dismissal occurs when a criminal case is dismissed before jury selection, often after negotiations, further investigation, or other developments leading to dismissal of the charges.
This week’s GOLD STAR winning lawyer is: Carlos Rodriguez
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Bryant Daniels for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1923658 out of the 174th Criminal District Court for the offense of
BURGLARY of a Habitation
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Sokoiya Thomas for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2588519 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 6 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chantrisse Howard for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2398882 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 2 for the offense of
FAILURE TO STOP and Give Information
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Bernie Aguirre for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2623252 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 3 for the offense of
TERRORISTIC THREAT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Jamal Asafi for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2610666 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 08 for the offense of
UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Byron Watson for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2586570 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 11 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Jeff Erskine for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1944926 out of the 177th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Brett Podolsky for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1930886 out of the 482nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT with a Deadly Weapon
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Arthur Washington for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1937189 out of the 180th Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Brandon Bibby for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1922239 out of the 174th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Bryant Daniels for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1937329 out of the 174th Criminal District Court for the criminal offense of
UNAUTHORIZED USE of a Motor Vehicle
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Wes RuckerIII for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2570776 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 6 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Maverick Ray for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2603274 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 10 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Antonelly Vargas for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2594051 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 10 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Sarah Gaucher for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2629449 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 11 for the offense of
INDECENT ASSAULT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Carlos Rodriguez for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1900164 out of the 179th Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT of a Child
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Eric Clay for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1943842 out of the 248th Criminal District Court for the offense of
FELON in Possession of a Weapon
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Jisha Jaganathan for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1911379 out of the 177th Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Maverick Ray for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1929966 out of the 497th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Savannah Luna for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1929965 out of the 497th Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chris Cockrell for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2588408 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 2 for the offense of
DWI 2nd
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Trevor Sharon for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2625445 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 2 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Michael Bernoudy for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2608479 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 3 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Alissa Cana for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2612889 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 03 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Wendle Smith for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2606140 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 15 for the offense of
TERRORISTIC THREAT
ShowMeTheJustice.com provides weekly coverage of Harris County Criminal Courts, including jury trials, trial-setting dismissals, attorney leaderboards, courtroom statistics, judicial activity, and criminal justice trends.
PROSECUTOR LEADER BOARD 2026
Leading Prosecutors for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts for 2026
August 28, 2026 – The race for the top spot continues! Congratulations toHarrisCounty prosecutors Traemon Anderson, Mikeala Morris and Nidia Ventura who currently lead all prosecutors with 8 guilty verdicts in 2026. Following closely with 7 guilty verdicts are Samantha Barnhart, Tieranee Jones and Peter Uli III. Rankings are updated regularly by ShowMeTheJustice.com, featuring Harris County criminal trials in progress, criminal trial statistics, attorney leaderboards, verdicts, and courtroom news.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for Harris County criminal jury trial results, attorney leaderboards, judge statistics, verdict trends, courthouse news, and comprehensive courtroom analytics.
DEFENSE LEADER BOARD 2026
Leading Defense Attorneys for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts for 2026
August 28, 2026 – The competition among Harris County’s top criminal defense attorneys continues to intensify. Arienna Toh currently leads the field with 5 jury trial victories in 2026. Close behind are Jordan Schuck, Brianne Boiarsky, Alyssa Craze-Awbrey, Tyler Flood, Paul Morgan, and Duncan Isaac, each with 3 trial wins. The remaining attorneys on the leaderboard have each earned 2 jury trial victories, reflecting the depth of trial talent in the Harris County criminal courthouse. Rankings are updated regularly by ShowMeTheJustice.com based on publicly available jury trial verdicts.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for Harris County criminal jury trial results, attorney leaderboards, judge statistics, verdict trends, courthouse news, and comprehensive courtroom analytics.
FELONY JUDGE LEADER BOARD 2026
All Elected Felony Judges and their trial totals for 2026
August 28, 2026 – 2026 Harris County Felony Trial Leaderboard – Jury trial activity remains strong throughout the Harris County felony courts. Judge Dan Simons has presided over more criminal jury trials than any other felony judge in 2026, with 25 trials completed – twice as many as the next two leading judges. JudgePeyton Peebles has 13 trials, Judge Veronica Nelson has 12 trials, while JudgeStacy Allen Barrow follows closely with 11 trials. The remaining judges on this leaderboard continue to maintain active criminal trial dockets, demonstrating the significant volume of felony jury trials occurring throughout the Harris County courthouse.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for the latest Harris County criminal jury trial statistics, felony and misdemeanor judge leaderboards, prosecutor and defense attorney rankings, verdict trends, court dockets, and daily courthouse action.
MISDEMEANOR JUDGE LEADER BOARD 2026
All Elected Misdemeanor Judges and their trial totals for 2026
August 28, 2026 – 2026 Harris County Misdemeanor Trial Activity – Jury trial activity remains robust in the Harris County misdemeanor courts. Judge Andrew Wright has presided over more misdemeanor criminal jury trials than any other county criminal court judge in 2026, with 20 trials completed. Judge Erika Ramirez follows with 15 trials, while Judges Shannon Baldwin has 13 trials and JudgeLinda Garcia with 12 trials. The remaining judges on this leaderboard continue to maintain active misdemeanor trial dockets as they move criminal cases through the Harris County justice system.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for the latest Harris County criminal jury trial results, misdemeanor and felony judge leaderboards, prosecutor and defense attorney rankings, verdict statistics, court dockets, and daily courthouse action.
VISITING JUDGE LEADER BOARD 2026
Visiting Judges and their trial totals for 2026
August 28, 2026 – 2026 Harris County Visiting Judge Trial Activity – Visiting judges remain an essential part of the Harris County criminal justice system, presiding over numerous jury trials throughout the year. Judge Lisa Burkhalter leads the pack with 11 trials and JudgeVanessa Velasquez(who is now the appointed judge of the 486th Criminal District Court) has presided over 10 trials, while JudgeMarc Brown and JudgeChristi Kennedy have each completed 7 trials. Their service helps ensure that criminal cases continue moving efficiently through one of the nation’s busiest court systems.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for the latest Harris County criminal jury trial results, felony and misdemeanor judge leaderboards, visiting judge statistics, prosecutor and defense attorney rankings, verdict trends, court dockets, and daily courthouse action.
PROSECUTOR LEADER BOARD – Last 9 Years
Harris County Career Prosecutor Leaderboard for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts since February 2017 Note: Prosecutors listed may no longer be working at the District Attorney’s Office
August 28, 2026 – Harris County Prosecutor Career Leaderboard – Since February 2017, hundreds of prosecutors have tried criminal jury cases in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. Danielle Oxford currently holds the top position with 44 guilty verdicts, followed by Heather Axline with 34 guilty verdicts. Keaton Forcht(former Prosecutor) and Helen Le(Former Prosecutor) are tied with 29 guilty verdicts, with Abraham Chopin on their tails, while several other prosecutors continue to build impressive trial records. This leaderboard reflects sustained jury trial experience over nearly a decade and is updated regularly by ShowMeTheJustice.com.
These standings reflect the total number of guilty jury verdicts recorded for each prosecutor during the tracking period. They are intended as historical statistical information and do not measure conviction rates, overall case performance, or prosecutorial effectiveness.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for Harris County criminal jury trial results, prosecutor and defense attorney leaderboards, judge statistics, verdict trends, courtroom news, and comprehensive criminal courthouse analytics.
2026 Harris County Misdemeanor Docket Report
Top 10 Misdemeanor Courts (out of 16 courts) for LOWEST docket totals through July 2026 (non pretrial intervention cases) – source: Harris County Courts Active Cases Report
August 2026 – 2026 Harris County Misdemeanor Docket Report – Pending criminal caseloads vary considerably among the County Criminal Courts at Law. Judge Jessica Padilla currently maintains the smallest pending misdemeanor docket with 780 active cases, while the largest misdemeanor docket contains 1,517 pending cases. Differences in docket size may result from numerous factors, including case assignments, filing volume, court scheduling, transfers, and the timing of case dispositions. These rankings provide a current snapshot of pending misdemeanor caseloads across the Harris County criminal courts.
Key Takeaways
Jessica Padilla (CCL14) has the smallest pending misdemeanor docket with 780 active cases.
Leslie Johnson (CCL3) and Paula Goodhart (CCL2) also have fewer than 1,000 pending cases.
The largest pending misdemeanor docket currently contains 1,517 active criminal cases.
Docket sizes fluctuate throughout the year as new cases are filed and existing cases are resolved.
Rankings are updated regularly using publicly available Harris County court records.
Note:Pending case totals represent a snapshot of each court’s active criminal docket on the date indicated. Docket size alone should not be interpreted as a measure of judicial performance or courtroom efficiency, as caseloads are influenced by factors such as new filings, case complexity, transfers, specialty court assignments, staffing, and the timing of case dispositions.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for Harris County criminal court statistics, misdemeanor and felony docket reports, judge leaderboards, jury trial results, prosecutor and defense attorney rankings, verdict trends, and daily courthouse action.
2026 Harris County Felony Caseload Report
Top 10 Felony Courts (out of 29 courts) for LOWEST docket totals through July 2026 – source: Harris County District Criminal District Courts Dashboard
August 2026 – The 2026 Harris County Felony Docket Leaderboard ranks the Criminal District Courts by the number of active pending felony cases. As of this update, Judge Matt Peneguy maintains the lowest pending felony caseload, followed by Judge Nata Cornelio and Judge Veronica Nelson. Felony docket totals fluctuate throughout the year as new indictments are filed, cases are transferred, trials conclude, pleas are entered, and other matters are resolved. These rankings are updated regularly using publicly available Harris County court statistics.
Key Highlights
Matt Peneguy (488th District Court) currently has the lowest pending felony docket with 193 active cases.
Nata Cornelio (351st) and Veronica Nelson (482nd) round out the top three lowest felony dockets.
The largest felony docket currently contains 995 pending cases.
Pending felony caseloads change regularly as cases are filed, transferred, disposed of, or set for trial.
Rankings are updated periodically using publicly available Harris County court records.
Note:Pending felony case totals represent a snapshot of each court’s active docket on the date shown. Docket size alone should not be interpreted as a measure of judicial performance or efficiency. Caseloads are influenced by numerous factors, including new felony filings, case complexity, court assignments, transfers, staffing, and the timing of case dispositions.
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for Harris County criminal jury trial results, prosecutor and defense attorney leaderboards, judge statistics, verdict trends, courtroom news, and comprehensive criminal courthouse analytics.
I interviewed 12 experienced court reporters working the Harris County Criminal Courts and got their “inside information” on how jurors, lawyers and witnesses could improve in trial to make it easier for the court reporter to take down ALL the information required of them for a good record. THESE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS! (Interviews took place in 2019)
Visit ShowMeTheJustice.com for daily Harris County criminal trial results, attorney rankings, verdict statistics, judge leaderboards, and the latest courthouse action.
THIS WEEK’S TRIAL WINNERS – Lawyers who won their trial at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse: Prosecutors Traemon Anderson, Radarius Morrow, Danielle Oxford, Jayelle Lozoya, Heather Erickson, Maria Juarez, Jayden Hoang, Samantha Knecht, Garrett Moore, Selah Lile, Mikeala Morris, Nidia Ventura, Morgan Kline, Jonathan Hardegree, Elijah Smith, Aliyah Miller, Keegan Childers, Blue McCreary, Heather Erickson, Skylar Detjen and Defense Attorneys Coby Dubose, Alli Cannon, John Paul Cedillo, Stephanie Pimentel, Malachi Ledbetter. Congratulations on a job well done!
We had – 8- lawyers complete – 6- trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results: -5- Guilty Verdicts, -0- Not Guilty Verdicts, -0- In-Trial Dismissals, -1- In-Trial Plea and -1- Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 45 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 24 lawyers complete 17 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 9 Guilty Verdicts, 8 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 0 In-Trial Pleas and 0 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 33 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 10 lawyers complete 5 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 5 Guilty Verdicts, 0 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 0 In-Trial Pleas and 0 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 25 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 23 lawyers complete 12 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 7 Guilty Verdicts, 3 Not Guilty Verdicts, 0 In-Trial Dismissals, 1 In-Trial Plea and 3 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 25 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 21 lawyers complete 11 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 7 Guilty Verdicts, 2 Not Guilty Verdicts, 2 In-Trial Dismissals, 1 In-Trial Plea and 3 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 18 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 20 lawyers complete 11 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 3 Guilty Verdicts, 4 Not Guilty Verdicts, 2 In-Trial Dismissals, 0 In-Trial Pleas and 3 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 18 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 22 lawyers complete 11 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 6 Guilty Verdicts, 1 Not Guilty Verdict, 2 In-Trial Dismissals, 1 In-Trial Plea and 1 Hung Jury.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 21 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 15 lawyers complete 9 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 5 Guilty Verdicts, 2 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, and 1 In-Trial Plea.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 31 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 15 lawyers complete 8 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 3 Guilty Verdicts, 2 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 1 In-Trial Plea and 1 Hung Jury.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 19 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 22 lawyers complete 13 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 10 Guilty Verdicts, 4 Not Guilty Verdicts, and 1 In-Trial Plea.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 27 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 19 lawyers complete 12 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 7 Guilty Verdicts, 4 Not Guilty Verdicts, and 1 In-Trial Dismissal.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 17 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 15 lawyers complete 9 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 3 Guilty Verdicts, 4 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 1 In-Trial Plea and 1 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 14 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
