Judge Molly Maness-Barnes

Molly Maness-Barnes was elected Justice of the Peace for Harris County Precinct 8 in 1988, and she will begin her fifth term in 2005.

Born:
Houston, Texas
Life Time Resident

Biography:

Judge Maness-Barnes has served as the Co-Presiding Judge of Harris County Justices of the Peace and was elected to serve as the First Justice of the Peace in Harris County appointed to the Juvenile Board.

Molly is actively involved with the education of all judges across the state and has served as Juvenile Instructor and Liaison for 10 years for the Justice Court Training Center and Southwest Texas State University.

Guest Columnist for the Deer Park Progress and the Pasadena Citizen with her, "Ask the Judge" column, and as guest lecturer for Richard Alderman's People's Law School, Judge Molly's focus has been to open the court to the people and help litigants understand the process and obligations of the law.

Her involvement in the community is evidenced by the many committees and organizations she supports with her time and talents. She has served as President of the San Jacinto Republican Women, Board member of the Education Foundation and member for four years on the Felton Waggoner Hall of Honor Board, Board Members Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Pasadena Rotary, where she was named a Paul Harris Fellow. She still serves on the Board of the East Harris County Senior Citizens and has done so for the past 18 years.

Her court agenda runs the gamut from civil and small claims to criminal including traffic and hot checks. But Molly's forte' has been with the truancy cases filed in her court. It is in this area that her creativity and commitment shine the most. Her progressive programs have even been featured on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.

She is probably most recognized in the community as past Master of Ceremonies and Gospel Vocalist for this community's own Home Town Opry.