Judge Phifer seeks re-election

DWIGHT PHIFER

Two term incumbent Cherokee County District Judge, Dwight Phifer, has filed for re-election. He has served in this position for seven years. The Second Judicial District Court hears felony criminal cases, complicated civil cases, family law cases, tax cases and juvenile cases.

"As District Judge for Cherokee County, I am proud of the achievements we have made over the last seven years, including reducing the number of current felony criminal cases by 75 percent. We are currently setting cases for trial through April 2008 in order to maintain this progress," Judge Phifer said.

Prior to being elected district judge, Mr. Phifer practiced law for many years with former Judge John Robert Adamson and then R. W. (Ricky) Richards after Judge Adamson took the bench.

Judge Phifer was born in Cherokee County, graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1969 and earned his degree with honors from Southwest Texas State University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He and his wife, Gerry, have three sons, all of whom graduated from Jacksonville High School.

He has served as lay leader and chairman of the board of First United Methodist Church, director of Austin Bank Texas, N. A., and Jacksonville Public Library, youth league baseball coach and adult Boy Scout leader. He also has served as treasurer and chairman of the board of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club president and United Fund campaign chairman. Judge Phifer currently serves on the board of trustees of Lon Morris College.

"We are trying to reduce probation violations by instituting a new policy of imposing a term of county jail confinement if a probationer fails to comply with his terms early in the period of probation. In addition, I have recently added a condition of probation requiring all unemployed probationers attend weekly classes with the Workforce Solutions Job Assistance Program," reported Judge Phifer. "This helps the probationers find jobs so that they can support themselves and their families and make restitution to victims of their crime and to Cherokee County for court appointed attorney fees and court costs."

"I appreciate all the support I have received in the past and look forward to serving Cherokee County for another term," said Judge Phifer.