Your Voice, Your Vote: Cornelia Hartman, Shelby Co. District Attorney candidate
PERSONAL:
Candidate's Name: Cornelia Hartman
Date of Birth: December 9, 1958
Education: South Texas College of Law, J.D. 1990
Doctor of Jurisprudence, May 1990
Family: Not Married. No Children.
Religion: Christian
Contact Information:
Phone: (936) 598]3999
Website: www.corneliahartmanlaw.com
Email: cornelia@corneliahartmanlaw.com
Address: 123 San Augustine Street Center, Texas 75935
BIOGRAPHY:
THE LAW OFFICE OF CORNELIA A. HARTMAN
(1990 - PRESENT)
PRACTICE AREAS:
Criminal Law
Domestic Relations (Family Law Cases)
Personal Injury
Attorney & Guardian Ad Litem – all Shelby County children in Department of Family & Protective Services (Child Protective Services) custody
Probate/Wills
Miscellaneous General Practice
Teacher Technologist, Houston Independent School District (1986-1987)
Administered, developed, and taught computer literacy program for teachers and students Elementary school teacher, Houston Independent School District (1981-1986)
South Texas Law Review
Articles Editor, 1989-1990 Member, 1988-1989
Dean's List 1988-1990
The Order of the Lytae Honor Society Dowling College, Oakdale, Long Island, NY
B.S., Cum Laude, Professional and Liberal Studies
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Academic Scholarship recipient
Dean's List
Regents Scholarship recipient
Other Career Highlights:
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
Center Business Association
Center Garden Club
Tri-County Community Action, Inc., Advisory Board Member (Volunteer)
Author, Speaker, How to Use The Internet in Your Law Practice, Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, Costa Rica – 2001;
Author, Speaker, How to Use the Internet in Your Law Practice, Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, Cayman Islands – 2000;
Author, Speaker, How to Use the Internet in Your Law Practice, Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, St. Kitts – 1999;
Attorney/Guardian Ad Litem for Children in Foster Care since 2003;
First "Not Guilty" Felony Jury Trial In Over a Decade in Shelby County; State of Texas v. Billy Earl Greer; Cause No. 05CR16495.
Awards/Recognition:
Fellow, College of the State Bar of Texas (more than ten years of consecutive membership)
Member, Pro Bono College of the State Bar (provided hundreds of hours of free/reduced rate legal services to the poor in Shelby County).
Vice President, Shelby County Bar Association
What qualifies you for this office?
I have been practicing law for close to 22 years. I have civil, criminal trial and appellate experience. I have managed my own law practice for 22 years. I have spent the last 16 years building and operating a successful law practice in Shelby County. I have earned the trust and inspired the confidence of the people of Shelby County. I have a reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness. I am self motivated, hard working and dedicated as well as organized and very computer literate.
I have an excellent working relationship with all of law enforcement in Shelby County, including, but not limited to, the Sheriff's Department, Center Police Department, City Marshalls, Constables, and the Shelby County Probation Department.
I have personally and professionally given back to my community. I am in touch with the needs and demands of our county and actively participate in numerous civic organizations. Professionally, I have given back hundreds of hours of legal representation and assistance that directly benefits those who are not in a financial position to pay for an attorney but need legal assistance.
What are your plans if elected (re]elected)?
If elected my first priority is to re]establish the credibility and the integrity of the Office of the District Attorney which, in the public's, view have been tarnished. Also as top priority is to reduce the number of outstanding, active felony cases. Victims and Defendants have a right to closure and to swift justice when possible. There are currently over 400 active felony cases pending. There are jury cancellations and, therefore, no trials. There is no excuse for a jury cancellation when there are so many open cases. The community perceives our Criminal Justice System as a revolving door. People are arrested and then not held accountable and/or do not have their cases resolved. This is not how the system was designed to work. There are over 30 forfeiture cases pending wherein property of defendants has been seized. There is no excuse for criminal and civil forfeiture cases to linger on the court's docket year after year. I will work hard to restore the public trust in the Office of the District Attorney and will work hard to resolve the pending cases and any new cases brought before me.
I hope I can count on your vote.
Cornelia Hartman
Cornelia Hartman
