The Honorable David Patronella (D)

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Personal Information

Judge Patronella is a third generation Houstonian. He attended Houston area public schools, graduating from the University of Houston and the University of Houston Law School.

Justice of the Peace Precinct One, Place Two is one of the two busiest courts in the state. During the last calendar year over 80,000 criminal cases were filed with the court. Approximately 50% of all civil cases files in all 16 Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts are filed in Justice Court Precinct One, Place Two. The Justice Court has jurisdiction over Class C criminal misdemeanor cases (traffic, hot checks, non aggravated assaults, etc.), civil cases, seizures and small claims.

In 1997 he was appointed by Chief Justice Tom Phillips to serve as a member of the prestigious Judicial Council of Texas. He has also chaired the Judicial Reform Committee of Judicial Council and worked with the Council and the Legislature during the past legislative session.

In the fall 1997 Houston Bar Association Judicial Qualification Poll Judge Patronella received the highest percentage of outstanding votes of any elected judge in Harris County. In the 1999 HBA Judicial Qualification Poll he tied for having the highest percentage of outstanding votes of any elected Harris County Judge. In the 2001 HBA Poll he was rated outstanding by 70.7% of the attorneys-- rating the highest rating of any justice court and twelve points higher than the second highest rated justice court.

He has been a frequent lecturer before numerous civic, professional businesses and educational forums and is currently an instructor with the Justice Court Training Center where he teaches both judges and clerks. He serves as a member of several boards, including the Houston Area Women's Center, the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce, Citizens for Animal Protection and the Downtown Houston Historical District. He is a lifelong member of All Saints Catholic Church in the Heights.

Judge Patronella, his wife Donna and their son and daughter reside in near northwest Houston. Donna is an instructor in the Houston Community College System.