Maritza Antu is the presiding Judge of the 482^nd Criminal District Court. She was appointed to be the first Judge of this court in October of last year. She is on the ballot this November.

Maritza is a proud bilingual Latina from McAllen, Texas where her family still lives. Maritza graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and attended law school at the University of Houston Law Center.

Maritza joined the Harris County District Attorney’s office in 2005 and worked her way up the ranks in the office. Maritza was one of the highest-ranking Latinas at the District Attorney’s Office. While there, Maritza tried over 75 cases to a jury and handled hundreds of additional criminal cases of all types, including violent offenses like capital murder, aggravated robbery, and sexual assault.

Some of the work Maritza is most proud of includes her handling of child sexual assault cases and working with young victims. While assigned to the Child Abuse Division for more than two years, Maritza secured over 20 convictions for defendants who preyed on the most vulnerable.

Maritza started her own law practice in 2017. As one of the few bilingual indigent defense attorneys in Harris County, Maritza worked with low-risk and non-violent offenders struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Her practice focused on reintegrating these individuals back into society with proper supervision.

Maritza has presided as Judge of the 482^nd for eleven months. In that time, Maritza has worked hard to cut the backlog of cases transferred to her court by over fifty percent. Maritza has the lowest trial docket in the courthouse, one of the highest disposition rates, and one of the lowest jail populations of twenty-three district courts. Maritza is focused on clearing the backlog to provide swift and fair justice while keeping the public’s safety in mind.

My family’s story is about the American Dream. My great-grandfather brought his family to the U. S. from Mexico in 1908 looking for a better life and security. My grandparents, Julian, after whom I was named, and Consuelo, were sharecroppers during the Great Depression. My mom and dad both grew up on farms. After they got married and had children, my family lived “across the tracks” in Rosenberg’s north side barrio. We went to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Rosenberg every Sunday.

Growing up, my brothers and sisters and I stocked shelves and worked the cash register in our very small family grocery store. The experience taught us the value of hard work and the importance of providing a service to the community.

Although my parents had attended school for only a few years, they knew the value of getting an education and made sure their children had the opportunities they didn’t. My six siblings and I all graduated from high school and attended college. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

My career in public service began in 1989 at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where I served for more than 27 years. During that time, I prosecuted thousands of felony cases and tried more than 150 first-chair jury trials for crimes ranging from death penalty capital murders to DWI’s. I was promoted to chief felony prosecutor in 1994, managing large dockets of felony cases, and division chief in 2007. As division chief, I oversaw multiple felony courts, the public corruption unit, and the civil rights division. I have also handled many gang cases, high-profile matters, and complex investigations.

I retired from the DA’s Office at the end of 2016 but have continued prosecuting cases for the State of Texas as an attorney pro tem on a contract basis. Since 2017 I have tried violent crime cases, including capital murder and murder, to guilty verdicts.

In my 32 years handling criminal cases, I have practiced before dozens of judges and seen what works and what doesn’t. That experience and the experience of managing dockets as a chief prosecutor will allow me to reduce the court’s bloated docket and keep it at a level where justice can be obtained promptly.

I have taught thousands of Houston Police Officers and Texas prosecutors about various criminal and investigative topics.

I am active in my church and my son’s boy scout troop. I live in Houston with Caroline Dozier, my wife of more than 24 years, our 14-year-old son, and our two dogs.

I am running for Judge of the 248^th District Court because the current judge has endangered our community with bad bail decisions and clogged up the court’s docket through mismanagement. With my 32 years of experience handling criminal cases I know I can do a better job. I ask for your vote.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the City of Houston, having completed the multi-step certification process, has been designated as a Music Friendly Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO). The Music Friendly Community program seeks to foster music business-related economic development in Texas cities and communities.

“Music is a big part of the Texas brand and is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of our great state,” said Governor Abbott. “With support from the Texas Music Office, the music industry in Texas created more than 210,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs in communities all across the Lone Star State and generated $27.3 billion in economic activity in 2019. Music Friendly Communities certified by the Texas Music Office are serious about attracting and developing the local music industry to boost job creation and economic growth. I congratulate the City of Houston on earning the Music Friendly Community designation, and I look forward to working together on their continued success.”

“The Texas Music Office is proud to welcome Houston to our family of certified Music Friendly Communities,” said TMO Director Brendon Anthony. “Houston was one of the first cities I approached when the Music Friendly Community program began. We are looking forward to partnering with and welcoming in the most diverse city in Texas. We can’t wait to see what they do.”

“From Lightnin’ Hopkins to Megan Thee Stallion, Houston has a rich history of developing and supporting music and the performing arts,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Whether it’s performances at our world-renowned Jones Hall, a sold-out stadium during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, or artists selling mixtapes in barbershops and in neighborhoods, we’re proud to cultivate an environment where musicians can flourish. This certification recognizes our city’s place in music history.”

“Houston is music friendly and supportive of musicians,” said Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Director Necole Irvin. “Today, the Texas Music Office recognizes who we have been and who we are, and we are excited for what comes next.  All Houston musicians and music businesses are encouraged to join us in this work, including creating a profile in the Houston Music Directory.”

“Music has long been an essential part of the Houston experience,” said Music + Cultural Tourism Officer Gracie Chavez. “It’s home to many music superstars, including Beyoncé, ZZ Top, UGK, Robert Earl Keen, DJ Screw, and La Mafia. With this certification, the Bayou City’s music community will proudly continue to gain deserved recognition beyond our state and international borders.”

“I am thrilled to see our local and state leadership taking positive steps towards engaging and growing our strong community of musicians and artists,” said Alex Navarro, President of the Houston Professional Musicians’ Association. “The HPMA looks forward to working now even more effectively alongside music business leaders, civic leadership, and our deep pool of musical talent that calls Houston home!”

TMO Director Anthony and TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will present the Music Friendly Community designation to Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, District C, at the Houston Music Advisory Board Listening Session on Tuesday, October 25, beginning at 6 pm at The Heights Theater.

Houston Music Friendly Community Certification Ceremony

+ Advisory Board Listening Session

Tuesday, October 25, 6 to 8pm

The Heights Theater

339 W. 19th Street

Houston, TX 77008

For more information and to register, visit: www.houston-music.live

The event will also be streamed live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonTelevision/

Houston joins more than 30 other Texas cities that have received the official Music Friendly Community designation, including Abilene, Alpine, Arlington, Austin, Bastrop, Brenham, Bryan, Conroe, Dallas, Denison, Denton, Dripping Springs, Edinburg, El Paso, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Harker Heights, Lindale, Lubbock, McAllen, McKinney, Nacogdoches, New Braunfels, Odessa, Port Aransas, Round Rock, Salado, San Angelo, San Antonio, San Marcos, Selma, Stephenville, Victoria, Vidor, Waco, Waxahachie, and Wimberley.

About the Texas Music Friendly Community program: https://gov.texas.gov/music/page/music-friendly-communities