Montgomery County prosecutor to seek 9th State District Court judge position

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - Thursday night at Pct 3 Constable Ryan Gable’s Bar-B-Que Fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Spring, an over-flow crowd was pleased, but not surprised, by the announcement that First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant would seek the Republican Party's nomination for Judge of the 9th District Court.

“Folks you are at the beginning of something special.” Said Pct 3 Constable Ryan Gable. “We are all looking forward to Phil Grant serving Montgomery County on the bench.”

Long anticipated, Grant made official his bid for the seat held by controversial Judge Kelly Case. Judge Case, although initially backed by the Texas Patriot Pac to unseat Judge Fred Edwards in 2012, has been under fire for having a slow docket, rulings over-turned by appellate courts and lenient sentences or probation issued to sex offenders.

Following the 5th time Case was overturned in 2014, the Texas Patriot Pac issued this statement: “Judge Case’s behavior in the court has been riddled with maneuvers typical of a defense attorney intent on stalling justice,” Julie Turner, president of Texas Patriots PAC, said. “Judge Case’s actions continue to demonstrate an obvious bias toward the defense, employing frivolous tactics that waste county time and resources. We call on Judge Case to perform his duties with greater integrity and impartiality.” This action effectively removed the groups’ endorsement, an unprecedented action.

First Assistant District Attorney Grant, comes from a tradition of service, growing up in a military family and a father who retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Marine Corps. Receiving his undergraduate degree in Economics from the Virginia Military Institute, Grant was intent on joining the military JAG Corp after he received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. However, “My plans for the military were changed when I broke my back in a motorcycle accident,” said Grant. “But I was still determined to serve.”

Grant has made a career serving victims as a prosecutor in Harris, Williamson and Montgomery Counties and as an Adjunct Professor teaching Criminal Law and Forensic Sciences.

Having joined the Montgomery County District Attorneys office as First Assistant District Attorney in 2009, Grant has supervised the Public Integrity Division, managed the District Attorney’s staff, overseen an $8 million dollar budget in addition to trial responsibilities. I know what effective management is.” said Grant. “The 9th is a terribly inefficient court. Excessive absences from the bench, lack of docket control, delays caused by cases and rulings being over turned has resulted in the Sheriffs’ department holding an additional 100+ defendants (compared to the other full time criminal courts) not eligible or unable to make bond at a cost to taxpayers of over $5,000.00 per day. This waste and these delays are totally unnecessary. In my court I will have control of the docket, trials will be held as quickly as fairness allows and justice will be served. Upon conviction offenders will be properly sentenced in a manner consistent with the values and expectations of Montgomery County citizens.”

During his career as a prosecutor he specialized in child sexual abuse and public integrity cases, and in the community he has also been a fixture on the board of directors of Children's Safe Harbor and recently the Conroe Noon Lions Club, “Children are my passion. My work to make the community safe for them benefits us all.”

Grant’s official paperwork was received in Austin May 20th, designating long time Tax Assessor J.R. Moore as Campaign Treasurer, the filing allows Grant to start raising funds to seek the nomination. The Republican Primary is March 1, 2015, it is unknown whether Judge case will seek another term.

Phil Grant For 9th District Court Campaign
P.O. Box 1678 Conroe, Texas 77305
Media Contact: Marc Davenport 281-548-8578

Marc Davenport P.O. Box 62869 Houston Texas 77205