New county court gets new judge

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is swearing in a new judge this morning for the County Court at Law #9, a court newly created by the Legislature to focus on criminal cases. Kim Williams won the March 1 primary election for the position (running unopposed for the Democratic candidacy), and because she faces no opponent in the November general election, she will likely serve as the court’s first elected judge. However, because the elected position does not begin until Jan. 1, 2017, she will start out as the court’s first appointed judge, in accordance with the Legislature’s mandate that the Travis County Commissioners Court appoint a judge to fill the vacant spot in the interim. This morning’s activities – set for 10 a.m. – are expected to begin with the Commissioners Court’s action on the appointment, followed by Williams’ swearing-in.