In the news: Read through section, minor grammatically edits throughout.
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'''Carlos Cortez''' is
the
judge
of
the [[Texas District 44|44th District Court]] in [[Texas]].<ref>[http://www.dallascounty.org/department/courts/civildistrictcourts/44th/44th.html 44th District]</ref> He was first elected to the bench in 2006.<ref name=dallasnews>[http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/district-judge-arrested-on-assault-charge-police-report-says.html/ ''Dallas News'', "Dallas district judge arrested on assault charge, police report says," December 28, 2013]</ref>
+
'''Carlos Cortez''' is
a
judge
for
the [[Texas District 44|44th District Court]] in
[[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]],
[[Texas]].<ref>[http://www.dallascounty.org/department/courts/civildistrictcourts/44th/44th.html 44th District]</ref> He was first elected to the bench in 2006.<ref name=dallasnews>[http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/district-judge-arrested-on-assault-charge-police-report-says.html/ ''Dallas News'', "Dallas district judge arrested on assault charge, police report says," December 28, 2013]</ref>
−
Cortez ran for re-election to the court in 2014 but was defeated in the March 4 primary.<ref name=candidates/><ref name=Dprim/>
His term will expire at the end of [[C2014|2014]].
+
Cortez ran for re-election to the court in 2014 but was defeated in the March 4 primary.<ref name=candidates/><ref name=Dprim/> His term will expire at the end of [[C2014|2014]].
==Elections==
==Elections==
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}}
}}
===2010===
===2010===
−
Cortez defeated Republican [[Gene Roberts]] in the general election, winning 50.37% of the vote.<ref>[http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/22800/39232/en/summary.html Dallas County Board of Elections, Unofficial Election Results]</ref>
+
Cortez
was re-elected to the [[Texas District 44|44th District Court]]. He
defeated Republican [[Gene Roberts]] in the general election, winning 50.37% of the vote.<ref>[http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/22800/39232/en/summary.html Dallas County Board of Elections, Unofficial Election Results]</ref>
:''See also: [[Texas district court judicial elections, 2010]]''
:''See also: [[Texas district court judicial elections, 2010]]''
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==Career==
==Career==
* '''2006-2014:''' Judge, [[Texas District 44]]
* '''2006-2014:''' Judge, [[Texas District 44]]
−
* '''1996-2006:''' Attorney, Private practice<ref>[http://www.dallascounty.org/department/courts/civildistrictcourts/44th/bio.php ''Dallas County, Texas'', "44th Judicial District Court, Hon. Carlos R. Cortez," accessed December 31, 2013]</ref>
+
* '''1996-2006:''' Attorney, Private practice <ref>[http://www.dallascounty.org/department/courts/civildistrictcourts/44th/bio.php ''Dallas County, Texas'', "44th Judicial District Court, Hon. Carlos R. Cortez," accessed December 31, 2013]</ref>
==In the news==
==In the news==
===Judge arrested (2013)===
===Judge arrested (2013)===
−
Cortez was arrested on December 28 on charges of assault and family violence. He was released on $15,000 bond. Police were reportedly called to the high-rise condominium building where he lives in Dallas
,
at 2 a.m. on December 27, 2013. Cortez and his girlfriend reportedly met officers in the lobby of the building. The two indicated they had been arguing about what was later learned to be asthma medication that belonged to the girlfriend's son, who also lived in the apartment. The two were then questioned separately.
+
Cortez was arrested on December 28 on charges of assault and family violence. He was released on
a
$15,000 bond. Police were reportedly called to the high-rise condominium building where he lives in Dallas at 2 a.m. on December 27, 2013. Cortez and his girlfriend reportedly met officers in the lobby of the building. The two indicated they had been arguing about what was later learned to be asthma medication that belonged to the girlfriend's son, who also lived in the apartment. The two were then questioned separately.
−
According to a police report, the girlfriend, a 26-year-old woman, whose name was later announced
as
'''Maggie Strother''', showed police red marks on her neck. She indicated she and Cortez had been drinking alcohol and later got into an argument. She stated Cortez {{quote|. . .choked her several times over the course of 15 minutes and at one point dragged her by her hair over to the balcony, leaned her over the edge and choked her for approximately 15 seconds straight. . .<ref name=dallasnews/>}} During the altercation, he also allegedly threatened to kill her.
+
According to a police report, the girlfriend, a 26-year-old woman, whose name was later announced
to be
'''Maggie Strother''', showed police
the
red marks on her neck. She indicated
that
she and Cortez had been drinking alcohol and later got into an argument. She stated
that
Cortez {{quote|. . .choked her several times over the course of 15 minutes and at one point dragged her by her hair over to the balcony, leaned her over the edge and choked her for approximately 15 seconds straight. . .<ref name=dallasnews/>}} During the altercation, he also allegedly threatened to kill her.
An attorney for Cortez, '''Andrew Korn''', issued a statement on December 29, regarding his arrest:
An attorney for Cortez, '''Andrew Korn''', issued a statement on December 29, regarding his arrest:
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===Cortez files motion in court; girlfriend claims it's a lie===
===Cortez files motion in court; girlfriend claims it's a lie===
−
According to an article in The Dallas Morning News, attorneys for Cortez filed a motion on December 30. In the document,
he
claims his girlfriend was trying to jump off the balcony of his condo building
,
on the 20th floor
,
to commit suicide. He indicated he told police she was extremely intoxicated after drinking alcohol and taking prescription drugs.
He
tried to pull her to safety, and she became violent, which made it necessary for him to take extreme measures to restrain her. In the motion, Cortez is requesting that a protective order, granted by a magistrate judge, be thrown out. He claims he informed police of what actually took place during the incident, but none of the things he told them were put in the police report.
+
According to an article in The Dallas Morning News, attorneys for Cortez filed a motion on December 30. In the document,
Cortez
claims his girlfriend was trying to jump off the balcony of his condo building on the 20th floor
in order
to commit suicide. He indicated
that
he told police she was extremely intoxicated after drinking alcohol and taking prescription drugs.
Cortez
tried to pull her to safety, and she became violent, which made it necessary for him to take extreme measures to restrain her. In the motion, Cortez is requesting that a protective order, granted by a magistrate judge, be thrown out. He claims he informed police of what actually took place during the incident, but none of the things he told them were put in the police report.
−
According to an attorney for the girlfriend, '''Ted Steinke''', "
. . .
Cortez' contention that he was saving the woman's life is laughable."<ref name=motion>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/headlines/20131230-dallas-judge-carlos-cortez-challenges-girlfriend-s-assault-claims-says-he-was-trying-to-stop-her-suicide.ece ''The Dallas Morning News'', "Dallas Judge Carlos Cortez says he was trying to stop girlfriend's suicide, not assaulting her; she says that's 'laughable'," December 30, 2013]</ref> Steinke indicated his client was cooperating with authorities but would not be making a public statement at this time.
+
According to an attorney for the girlfriend, '''Ted Steinke''', "Cortez' contention that he was saving the woman's life is laughable."<ref name=motion>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/headlines/20131230-dallas-judge-carlos-cortez-challenges-girlfriend-s-assault-claims-says-he-was-trying-to-stop-her-suicide.ece ''The Dallas Morning News'', "Dallas Judge Carlos Cortez says he was trying to stop girlfriend's suicide, not assaulting her; she says that's 'laughable'," December 30, 2013]</ref> Steinke indicated his client was cooperating with authorities but would not be making a public statement at this time.
===Ex-girlfriend requests restraining order===
===Ex-girlfriend requests restraining order===
−
According a February 14, 2014 Dallas Morning News article, Maggie Strother said Cortez "
. . .
abused her throughout an 'off and on' relationship that lasted 13 months, not just in the December incident that led to his arrest."<ref name=more>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20140215-more-abuse-allegations-emerge-against-dallas-county-judge.ece ''The Dallas Morning News'', "More abuse allegations emerge against Dallas County judge," February 14, 2014]</ref>
+
According
to
a February 14, 2014 Dallas Morning News article, Maggie Strother said Cortez "abused her throughout an 'off and on' relationship that lasted 13 months, not just in the December incident that led to his arrest."<ref name=more>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20140215-more-abuse-allegations-emerge-against-dallas-county-judge.ece ''The Dallas Morning News'', "More abuse allegations emerge against Dallas County judge," February 14, 2014]</ref>
−
In a sworn affidavit she filed with her request for a protective order, Strother provided details about incidents of abuse by Cortez. She also claimed Cortez told her that due to his status and position, no one would take her accusations regarding his treatment of her seriously. In her statement, filed with the court on January 22, 2014,
she
called Cortez "extremely controlling" and claimed, "
. . .
on several occasions, [she] has felt sexually violated by Carlos." The article noted Cortez has not been charged with a sex crime.<ref name=more/> Strother claimed she now fears for her life because she reported the abuse to the authorities.<ref name=more/>
+
In a sworn affidavit she filed with her request for a protective order, Strother provided details about incidents of abuse by Cortez. She also claimed Cortez told her that due to his status and position, no one would take her accusations regarding his treatment of her seriously. In her statement, filed with the court on January 22, 2014,
Strother
called Cortez "extremely controlling" and claimed, "on several occasions, [she] has felt sexually violated by Carlos." The article noted
that
Cortez has not been charged with a sex crime.<ref name=more/> Strother claimed she now fears for her life because she reported the abuse to the authorities.<ref name=more/>
According to The Dallas Morning News, a hearing regarding the protective order, set for February 18, 2014, was canceled by court officials.<ref name=felony>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/20140217-dallas-county-grand-jury-to-hear-judge-carlos-cortez-assault-case-thursday.ece ''The Dallas Morning News'', "Dallas County grand jury to hear Carlos Cortez assault case Thursday," February 17, 2014]</ref>
According to The Dallas Morning News, a hearing regarding the protective order, set for February 18, 2014, was canceled by court officials.<ref name=felony>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/20140217-dallas-county-grand-jury-to-hear-judge-carlos-cortez-assault-case-thursday.ece ''The Dallas Morning News'', "Dallas County grand jury to hear Carlos Cortez assault case Thursday," February 17, 2014]</ref>
===Cortez to face grand jury===
===Cortez to face grand jury===
−
A February 18 article in The Dallas Morning News indicated the grand jury took up the case regarding a charge of felony assault against Cortez on February 20, 2014. Cortez remained free on bond. He was represented by two former prosecutors, '''Kevin Brooks''' and '''Peter Schulte''', as well as a former [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]] criminal judge, '''Vic Cunningham'''. Former prosecutor, '''Ted Steinke''' continued to represent Strother. None of the parties
,
or attorneys
,
in the case have issued any statements since a gag order was put in place in January by Judge Richard Mays.<ref name=more/><ref name=felony/>
+
A February 18 article in The Dallas Morning News indicated the grand jury took up the case regarding a charge of felony assault against Cortez on February 20, 2014. Cortez remained free on bond. He was represented by two former prosecutors, '''Kevin Brooks''' and '''Peter Schulte''', as well as a former [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]] criminal judge, '''Vic Cunningham'''. Former prosecutor, '''Ted Steinke'''
,
continued to represent Strother. None of the parties or attorneys in the case have issued any statements since a gag order was put in place in January by Judge Richard Mays.<ref name=more/><ref name=felony/>
===Grand jury declines to indict Cortez===
===Grand jury declines to indict Cortez===
−
According to FOX 4 News in Dallas, the grand jury declined to indict Cortez on assault charges stemming from an incident involving his former girlfriend, Maggie Strother, which took place in late December 2013. Strother released a statement yesterday
,
through her attorney
, saying
she stood by her version of events.<ref name=videos>[http://www.myfoxdfw.com/ ''Fox 4 News'', "Dallas judge cleared of assault says videos prove his credibility," February 20, 2014]</ref>
+
According to FOX 4 News in Dallas, the grand jury declined to indict Cortez on assault charges stemming from an incident involving his former girlfriend, Maggie Strother, which took place in late December 2013. Strother released a statement yesterday through her attorney
stating that
she stood by her version of events.<ref name=videos>[http://www.myfoxdfw.com/ ''Fox 4 News'', "Dallas judge cleared of assault says videos prove his credibility," February 20, 2014]</ref>
Since a gag order preventing any of the parties from discussing the case was lifted, Cortez offered his side of the story. He and his attorneys appeared on a FOX 4 News broadcast on February 20 and talked about the case. Attorney Peter Schulte indicated there was evidence available that directly disputed claims Strother made to police about events that took place on the night in question. The group offered surveillance video from the condominium building where Cortez lives, as well as another video Cortez took with his camera phone sometime in November 2013. Attorney Kevin Brooks, who also represents Cortez, said they provided both videos to the district attorney's office, but don't know what evidence the grand jury relied upon when they decided not to indict Cortez.<ref name=videos/>
Since a gag order preventing any of the parties from discussing the case was lifted, Cortez offered his side of the story. He and his attorneys appeared on a FOX 4 News broadcast on February 20 and talked about the case. Attorney Peter Schulte indicated there was evidence available that directly disputed claims Strother made to police about events that took place on the night in question. The group offered surveillance video from the condominium building where Cortez lives, as well as another video Cortez took with his camera phone sometime in November 2013. Attorney Kevin Brooks, who also represents Cortez, said they provided both videos to the district attorney's office, but don't know what evidence the grand jury relied upon when they decided not to indict Cortez.<ref name=videos/>
+
+
===Court records ordered unsealed===
+
Court records related to a defamation suit filed by Cortez in 2010 against his former attorney, Coyt Randal Johnston, were ordered unsealed and open to the public by the [[Texas Sixth District Court of Appeals|Texarkana's Sixth Court of Appeals]]. Johnston filed a number of documents detailing Cortez's alleged criminal behavior during the 2010 litigation.
+
+
The documents filed on the [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]] court's website, contains sworn testimony from two women, one who claims that Cortez sexually assaulted her when she was child and the other alleging that she was given money by Cortez in order to purchase cocaine.
+
+
Cortez was arrested on the sexual assault charges in 1999 but was never prosecuted. He had been fighting the legal battle to keep the documents sealed for the past three years.<ref>[http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city-life/04-16-14-judge-carlos-cortez-loses-drugs-prostitutes-lawsuit-assault/ ''Dallas Culture Map.com'', "Judge Carlos Cortez loses battle to keep allegations of drugs and prostitutes private," April 16, 2014]</ref><ref>[http://www.texaslawyer.com/home/id=1202651565974/Shocking%20Statements%20Unsealed%20in%20Judge%20Carlos%20Cortez%20Dispute?mcode=1202617626994&curindex=1&slreturn=20140322183910 ''Texas Lawyer.com'', "Shocking Statements Unsealed in Judge Carlos Cortez Dispute," April 17, 2014]</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
−
* [[Dallas County, Texas]]
+
*[[Dallas County, Texas]]
−
* [[Texas District Courts]]
+
*[[Texas District Courts
]]
+
*[[Judicial selection in Texas
]]
==External links==
==External links==
−
* [http://www.dallascounty.org/ Dallas County, Texas website]
+
*[http://www.dallascounty.org/ Dallas County, Texas website]
−
* [http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24886455/judge-carlos-cortez-faces-primary-challenger ''myfoxdfw.com'', "Judge Carlos Cortez loses to primary challenger," March 4, 2014]
+
*[http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24886455/judge-carlos-cortez-faces-primary-challenger ''myfoxdfw.com'', "Judge Carlos Cortez loses to primary challenger," March 4, 2014]
−
* [http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/2014/02/defense-lawyer-says-judge-carlos-cortez-not-indicted.html/ ''Dallas News'', "Judge Carlos Cortez not indicted; he blasts Dallas police," February 20, 2014]
+
*[http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/2014/02/defense-lawyer-says-judge-carlos-cortez-not-indicted.html/ ''Dallas News'', "Judge Carlos Cortez not indicted; he blasts Dallas police," February 20, 2014]
==References==
==References==