While our state is blessed with many dedicated and talented local elected officials, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Sergio De Leon has distinguished himself as one of our very best. For more than a decade, Sergio has provided service far beyond the duties associated with the office he holds.
At the age of 29, Sergio was elected Constable in Tarrant County becoming the youngest elected official in the county and the very first Hispanic Constable from Precinct 5. As Constable, Sergio immediately invigorated the office, increasing its visibility, improving morale and professionalism among his deputies and, most notably, working with local school officials to reduce truancy and provide students a better chance to succeed.
Last November, Sergio was elected Justice of the Peace in Precinct 5, which is predominately Hispanic, but is quite diverse as well with a core of hardworking middle-class families. As JP, Sergio has immediately made a direct and positive impact on the lives of children and their parents.
The Honorary Jurors program launched by Sergio earlier this year is a wonderful example of service beyond the call. This innovative program allows students from Fort Worth public schools to attend JP De Leon’s Court sessions every week to not only learn about functions of government at the local level, but to gain a better understanding of the problems families face every day and how they can be resolved fairly and peacefully.
Recently, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram featured Sergio’s Honorary Jurors program. The story is reprinted below.
Too often public service is discounted and even disrespected. Justice of the Peace Sergio De Leon reminds us all that a committed individual applying their talent and their best intentions can not only perform their job well but can improve and enrich the lives of their constituents immeasurably.
For exemplary service beyond the call of duty, the Lone Star Project spotlights and salutes Tarrant Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Sergio De Leon.
Sincerely,
Matt Angle
Lone Star Project Director
Students observe JP court to learn about the legal system
FORT WORTH — Michael Delgado, 11, figures he’d be a good lawyer when he grows up.
“I like to talk,” said Michael, a fifth-grader “A lot.”
Michael is president of the Rufino Mendoza Elementary School student council. The group took a field trip downtown Friday to learn about how the Tarrant County court system works.
The Honorary Jurors program was launched in January by Sergio L. De Leon, who was a Tarrant County constable for 11 years before being elected justice of the peace for Tarrant County Precinct 5 in November.
Once a week, students from Fort Worth schools and colleges tour De Leon’s court to observe proceedings and visit the jury room and judge’s chambers. Then they meet with Precinct 5 Constable Ruben Garcia and see a marked constable’s cruiser.
De Leon said that in addition to the civics lesson, he hopes the program will inspire young people to consider law enforcement careers and participate in civic affairs, from parent-teacher-student organizations to voting and running for office when they’re older.
Before the field trip, the students talked about how courts work and were reminded to wear appropriate clothes, school counselor Carmen Martinez said. They share what they’ve learned with classmates back at school, she said.
On Friday, students sat in the courtroom jury box and heard testimony regarding an apartment eviction.
De Leon ruled against the defendant, who was four months behind on his rent.
“Sometimes it’s not an easy thing to do, but nonetheless when I’m on the bench, I can’t be their friend. I have to follow the law,” De Leon told the students.
Later, as students crowded into the small jury room, De Leon talked about how jurors deliberate, reviewed the three branches of government and discussed due process.
Michael said he learned a lot, although he already knew the basics of how small-claims court works from watching the TV show Judge Judy. He noticed that De Leon has a different style while on the bench.
“Judge Judy gets crazy cases and she brings her anger into it,” Michael said. “He is more calm.”
Read more here.
