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
JUNE 1, 2026 – trials in progress– updated 6a
230th – SEXUAL ASSAULT
1883441 – Prosecutor Kara Harner – Defense Brett Podolsky(judge Chris Morton presiding: opening statements 9:30a June 1st)
232nd – AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT
1768463 – Prosecutor Alex Napuri – Defense Matt Gilliam(judge Josh Hill presiding: opening statements 9:30a June 1st)
338th – AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
1702650 – Prosecutors Ryan Volkmer and Cristina Platter – Defense Jerome Godinich and Gary Polland(judge Michele Oncken presiding: opening statements 10a June 2nd)
351st – CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD
1862263 – Prosecutors Keegan Childers and Lindsey Pearson – Defense Jessica Anderson, Julie Ketterman, John Allicock and Eugenia Mendez(visiting judge Mark Ellis presiding: opening statements 12:30p June 1st)
482nd – MURDER
1891467 – Prosecutors Nick Toups and Winston Griner – Defense Ana Funes Baker and Damon Parrish II(judge Veronica Nelson presiding: opening statements June 1st)HPD PRESS RELEASE
487th – MURDER
1788586 – Prosecutors Taylor Carter and Gordon McCormack – Defense Ed Chernoff(judge Stacy Allen Barrow presiding: opening statements 10a June 1st)ABC13NEWS
496th – BURGLARY WITH INTENT TO COMMIT A FELONY
1938906 – Prosecutor Panos Melisaris – Defense Larry Williams II(judge Dan Simons presiding: opening statements 10:30a June 1st)
ERD Court – CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD
1784545 – Family Law Center 4th floor – Prosecutors Mikeala Morris and Tieranee Jones – Defense Jimmy Ortiz Jr. (visiting judge Vanessa Velasquez presiding: punishment evidence resumes 8:30a June 1st)
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!
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Eddie Cortes for earning Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Aggravated Sexual Assault
(judge Kat Thomas presiding – 184th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1887670)
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Jordan Schuck for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Evading Arrest
( judge Alex Salgado presiding – CCL1 – jury trial – Cause Number 2610179) co-counsels Sarah Gaucher and Duncan Isaac
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Sarah Gaucher for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Evading Arrest
( judge Alex Salgado presiding – CCL1 – jury trial – Cause Number 2610179) co-counsels Jordan Schuck and Duncan Isaac
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Duncan Isaac for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Evading Arrest
( judge Alex Salgado presiding – CCL1 – jury trial – Cause Number 2610179) co-counsels Sarah Gaucher and Jordan Schuck
Congratulations to Prosecutor Stacy Scofield for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Manslaughter
Sentence: 10 Years in Prison
(judge Chris Morton presiding – 230th Criminal District Court – bench trial) – Cause #1891524 ) co-counsel Tiffany Persaud Caudill
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Kathryn Bates for earning Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Felon in Possession of a Weapon
(visiting judge Denise Bradley presiding – 183rd Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1927048)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Joshua Normand for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
DWI 3rd Offense
Sentence: To Be Determined
(judge Peyton Peebles presiding – 497th Criminal District Court – jury trial) – Cause #1904996 )
Congratulations to the Defense Attorney Antonio Benavides for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Assault Family Member
( judge Ashley Guice presiding – CCL12 – jury trial – Cause Number 2579859)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Paul Escamilla for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Indecent Exposure
Sentence: 99 Days in Jail
(visiting judge Margaret Stewart presiding – CCL14 – jury trial – Cause #2593303) co-counsel Mona Niazi
Congratulations to Prosecutor Mona Niazi for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Indecent Exposure
Sentence: 99 Days in Jail
(visiting judge Margaret Stewart presiding – CCL14 – jury trial – Cause #2593303) co-counsel Paul Escamilla
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Coby Dubose for earning an In-Trial Dismissal(after a successful Motion to Suppress) for your client.
DWI
(judge Paula Goodhart presiding – CCL2 – jury trial – Cause Number 2596537) co-counsel Alli Cannon
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Alli Cannon for earning an In-Trial Dismissal(after a successful Motion to Suppress) for your client.
DWI
(judge Paula Goodhart presiding – CCL2 – jury trial – Cause Number 2596537) co-counsel Coby Dubose
Congratulations to Prosecutor Aliyah Miller for earning an In-Trial Plea for the State of Texas.
DWI >.15
Sentence: 1 Year in Jail
(visiting judge Christi Kennedy presiding – 495th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1894984) co-counsel Jonathan Hardegree
Congratulations to Prosecutor Jonathan Hardegree for earning an In-Trial Plea for the State of Texas.
DWI >.15
Sentence: 1 Year in Jail
(visiting judge Christi Kennedy presiding – 495th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1894984) co-counsel Aliyah Miller
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%.
Show Me The Justice congratulates Defense Attorney Matthew Sharp for earning 8 “Not Guilty” Verdicts since 2017
Matthew is tied for NUMBER 28 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.
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Mark Thiessen for earning a non trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1945486 out of the 184th Criminal District Court for the offense of
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Joe Vinas for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1896680 out of the 496th Criminal District Court for the offense of
SEXUAL ASSAULT of a Child
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Nathan Beedle for earning a non trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1903423 out of the 230th Criminal District Court for the offense of
SEXUAL ASSAULT ofa Child
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Stephen Stewart for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2603731 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 2 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Diana Sims for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1934435 out of the 486th Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Andreea Ionescu for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1922116 out of the 351st Criminal District Court for the offense of
CONTINUOUS VIOLENCE Against the Family
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chaz Nungaray for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1960971 out of the 496th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY of a Habitation
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Joseph Gagliardi for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1922520 out of the 497th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Eric Garza for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2590008 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 4 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Coby Dubose for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2590903 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 4 for the offense of
TERRORISTIC THREAT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Lauren Stanbery for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1948014 out of the 185th Criminal District Court for the offense of
FELON IN POSSESSION of a Weapon
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Woodrow Dixon III for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1898600 out of the 208th Criminal District Court for the offense of
INJURY to the Disabled
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Neil Krugh for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1932402 out of the 178th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Andrew Salinas for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2611773 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 8 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
PROSECUTOR LEADER BOARD 2026
Leading Prosecutors for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts for 2026
Leading Prosecutors for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts since February 2017 Note: Prosecutors listed may no longer be working at the District Attorney’s Office
Top 10 Misdemeanor Courts (out of 16 courts) for LOWEST docket totals through April 2026 – source: Harris County Courts Active Cases Report
COURT DOCKET EFFICIENCY – FELONIES
Top 10 Felony Courts (out of 29 courts) for LOWEST docket totals through April 2026 – source: Harris County District Criminal District Courts Dashboard
WHO ARE THE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY JUDGE POSITIONS FOR 2026? Check out the list below!
Information found on the Harris County Democratic and Republican parties websites
Congratulations to County Criminal Court at Law Number 8 judge Erika Ramirez (l-r) and to the 185th Criminal District Court judge Andy Beall for scoring the HIGHEST average “EXCELLENT” ratings in 8 different categories in the annual poll conducted by the Houston Bar Association.
Great tips from the Harris County Court Reporters!
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)
Katelyn Harrelson has been a court reporter since 2013. She substituted as a court reporter in all the courts until 2015 when she landed a permanent job in County Criminal Court at Law Number 6 with judge Larry Standley. She is now the court reporter in County Criminal Court at Law Number 6 – judge Kelley Andrews presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – EXPLAIN ACTIONS – Lawyers need to remember that the “RECORD” – unlike jurors – cannot “SEE” – it can only “HEAR”. Act like you are on the radio talking to an audience. The audience cannot see so you must explain in words what “action” is happening. So when you hand over a piece of paper to a witness – say what it is for the record! When a witness points to a part of their face that got hit or to something on a blackboard – say where they got hit or what they pointed to on the blackboard for the record! When a witness is demonstrating something for the jury, your radio audience can’t see it so say – in words – what the witness is doing, action-by-action for the record. Whoever reads your record later was NOT in the courtroom. Painting a clearer picture of what was happening makes it much easier for your reader (most likely appellate court) to understand what was going on in the courtroom. It also helps me when editing the transcript. Thank you in advance!
Linda Hacker has been a court reporter since 1990. She worked freelance until 1994 then from 1994 to 2000 she worked as a substitute for the courts. In 2000 she landed a job as court reporter for the 339th then in 2009 as a court reporter for the 177th. She is currently one of several court reporters who work in the Emergency Trial Dockets.
COURT REPORTER TIP –ONE PERSON AT-A-TIME – I know other court reporters have said this and I would like to reiterate – PLEASE slow down AND do not talk over each other! We CANNOT take down your words when two people are talking at the same time or talking too fast. Thank you in advance!
Rachel Peres has been a court reporter since 2013. She spent 5 years as the court reporter for the 313th juvenile court before becoming the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 4 – judge Shannon Baldwin presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP –SENSITIVE MICROPHONES – Lawyers need to remember that we have a microphone attached at the bench in order to hear your bench conversations. Please be careful when passing papers or other items to the judge! If those papers or items HITS the microphone the amplified sound hurts our ears. Thank you!
Karen Hendricks Garcia has been a court reporter since 2011. She spent 4 years doing freelance then became the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 11 for 4 years. Since January 2019 she has been the court reporter for the 228th Criminal District Court – judge Caroline Dozier now presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – HANDOUTS FOR JURORS – We could educate jurors BEFORE they enter the courtroom on “how to be a good juror during voir dire.” Perhaps give them handouts in the hall while they wait to come into the courtroom. Tips – speak up, say your juror number before speaking, don’t talk at same time as lawyer, etc.
Amanda Fazio has been a court reporter since 2008. She has spent her entire career assigned to the Harris County criminal courts. She has worked in five criminal courts during those 17 years and is currently the court reporter in the 209th District Court – judge Brian Warren presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – LET THE ANSWER SOAK IN – After a witness answers a question – TAKE A BREATH – and let the answer sink in to the jury! It is difficult to comprehend everything said with running questions and answers. Also, PLEASE give the CITE along with the Case Style when quoting case law to the court, otherwise I have to spend time looking it up.
Ramona Sonnier has been a court reporter since 1999. She worked freelance for 4 years in all types of Harris County courts – including criminal, civil, juvenile, and family. In 2003 she got a permanent position with County Criminal Court at Law Number 5 under judge Margaret Harris and is now in the same court with judge David Fleischer presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP –HANDOUTS FOR WITNESSES – I would like to see the witnesses coached better before taking the stand. Let’s give ALL witnesses – before they testify – a “Witness Stand Tips” pamphlet that explains basic things such as: 1) speak loudly, slowly and clearly, 2) don’t speak until the lawyer has stopped speaking, 3) only answer the question posed to you – don’t elaborate 4) the court reporter can only take down what one person says at a time, so don’t interrupt, 5) Don’t talk when a lawyer makes an objection until the judge tells you, etc.
Tiffani June- Russell has been a court reporter since 1998. She worked freelance for 15 of those 27 years while raising 3 children. She is now the full-time court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 7 – Judge Andrew Wright presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP –READING FROM A DOCUMENT – Attorneys seem to launch into overdrive when asked to read something from a written document. It’s not really the speed that is the problem, it is that people talk so fast that they don’t speak clearly – don’t mumble. Slow down and enunciate those words! Believe me, if I cannot hear or understand you, the jury cannot either. ALSO, If you are going to be reading from a document and the Court and other side has a copy, please provide a copy to the court reporter.
Leah Leal has been a court reporter since 2014. She has worked her entire career in the criminal court system starting with County Criminal Court at Law Number 10 – Judge Dan Spjut – and more recently as the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 13 – judge Raul Rodriguez presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP –CALL OUT JUROR NUMBERS – During voir dire both the Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys need to make sure to identify each prospective juror by either calling out their NUMBER or having the juror say their NUMBER before speaking.
Krista Hall has been a court reporter since 1995. She worked free-lance for about 12 years then worked the civil courts, CPS and misdemeanor courts. She was with Judge Derbyshire until she landed her spot with Judge Sedrick Walker – County Criminal Court at Law Number 11.
COURT REPORTER TIP – DON’T TRAIL OFF – I would like to see the lawyers speak more confidently with the jurors during voir dire. Sometime lawyers trail off while speaking and I can’t hear what they are saying.
Jennifer Slessinger has been a court reporter since 1975. She worked in the criminal courts for 37 years and the family courts for 7 years. She was the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 8 – judge Franklin Bynum – before retiring in 2022.
COURT REPORTER TIP – BLUEPRINT OF TRIAL – It would be helpful if the lawyers would give us a blueprint of the trial – meaning a list of all the witnesses with correct spelling of their names and all the exhibits. Also, please do not talk over each other.
Shannon Simmons has been a court reporter since 1997. She was a freelance reporter for twenty-one years, did a year in juvenile court then worked as a court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 10. Now she is with the 496th Criminal District Court, judge Dan Simons presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – NO MUMBLING – I would like to see lawyers who are speaking to the jury NOT trail off and mumble (as if they were thinking out loud when speaking.) Enunciate every word loudly and clearly to the audience, please!
Carrie Logan has been a court reporter for over 30 years – almost entirely in felony criminal courts. She worked for judge George Godwin in the 174th for eight years and with judge Susan Brown in the 185th for 20 years. She is now the court reporter for the 185th – judge Andy Beall presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – NUMBERS – Please make sure numbers are clarified for the record. For example, Check #522 for $5.22 on 5-22 are all opportunities to confuse the reader and the listener. It’s so helpful to reinforce what the number actually is referencing by stating “Check No. 522, dated May 22, for the amount of five dollars and twenty-two cents.” When speaking of currency, it is helpful to clearly state the dollar amount such as “five dollars and twenty-two cents” OR “five hundred twenty-two dollars.” Although it’s common vernacular to state five twenty-two and context can usually clear it up, it makes for clearer listening and reading.
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We had 33 lawyers complete 18 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 9 Guilty Verdicts, 5 Not Guilty Verdicts, 2 In-Trial Dismissals, 2 In-Trial Pleas and 1 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 26 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 31 lawyers complete 17 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 10 Guilty Verdicts, 5 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 2 In-Trial Pleas and 0 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 23 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 – 7 Guilty Verdicts, 2 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 2 In-Trial Pleas and 0 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 18 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 33 lawyers complete 15 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 8 Guilty Verdicts, 1 Not Guilty Verdict, 4 In-Trial Dismissals, 0 In-Trial Pleas and 2 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 11 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 17 lawyers complete 10 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 7 Guilty Verdicts, 2 Not Guilty Verdicts, 0 In-Trial Dismissals, 0 In-Trial Pleas and 1 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 22 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 24 lawyers complete 14 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 10 Guilty Verdicts, 3 Not Guilty Verdicts, 0 In-Trial Dismissals, 1 In-Trial Plea and 1 Hung Jury/Mistrial/Other.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 34 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 13 lawyers complete 8 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 5 Guilty Verdicts, 1 Not Guilty Verdict, 0 In-Trial Dismissals, 2 In-Trial Pleas and 1 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 19 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 25 lawyers complete 15 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 13 Guilty Verdicts, 1 Not Guilty Verdict, 1 In-Trial Dismissal, 1 In-Trial Plea and 1 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 26 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 19 lawyers complete 11 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 10 Guilty Verdicts, 1 Not Guilty Verdict, 2 In-Trial Dismissals, 1 In-Trial Plea and 0 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 14 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 17 lawyers complete 8 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 4 Guilty Verdicts, 3 Not Guilty Verdicts, 0 In-Trial Dismissals, 0 In-Trial Pleas and 2 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 26 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 14 lawyers complete 8 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 0 Guilty Verdicts, 7 Not Guilty Verdicts, 0 In-Trial Dismissals, 1 In-Trial Plea and 0 Hung Jury/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 19 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 27 lawyers complete 16 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 10 Guilty Verdicts, 5 Not Guilty Verdicts, 1 In-Trial Dismissal and 1 Hung Jury.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 18 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
We had 35 lawyers complete 21 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 11 Guilty Verdicts, 2 Not Guilty Verdicts, 3 In-Trial Dismissals, 2 In-Trial Pleas and 3 Hung Juries/Mistrials.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 23 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
