Tom Lawrence (R)

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Personal Information

Judge Tom Lawrence was sworn in as presiding judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court (Precinct 4, Place 2) on January 1, 1983 .

Judge Lawrence was appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to the Supreme Court Advisory Committee in 1999, becoming only the second Justice of the Peace to serve on the committee.

Judge Lawrence was also appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct in 1991. He was elected Chairman in 1996-1997, becoming the only Justice of the Peace to serve as chair of the Commission.

Judge Lawrence served as chair of the Justice of the Peace Section of the State Bar of Texas in 1989). He established one of Harris County's first Teen Courts in 1991. Judge Lawrence is certified as a Civil Mediator from the National Judicial College (June, 1998).

Judge Lawrence is very active in the development of new legislation to enhance the effectiveness of the justice courts in Texas. He drafted HB 509 enacted into law by the 76th Texas Legislature which deals with the jurisdiction of justice courts over deed restriction cases, and SB 1718, also enacted into law by the 76th Texas Legislature which deals with alternate dispute resolution in justice courts.)

He drafted HB 3544, enacted into law by the 75th Texas Legislature, which establishes local rules for the Harris County Justice Courts.)

He drafted HB 2035, enacted into law by the 74th Texas Legislature, which deals with the suspension of the driver's license of a juvenile who fails to appear in court.)

Judge Lawrence drafted Senate Bill 590, dealing with the return of stolen property to crime victims, which was enacted into law by the 73rd Texas Legislature.)

He also drafted Senate Bill 1289, House Bill 488 and House Bill 1522, which were enacted into law by the 71st Legislature. The bills dealt with landlord tenant matters, small claims court and the suspension of driver's license of juveniles who fail to appear in court.