Michael H Ghutzman
Election History
This candidate has records in multiple elections. See their profile and positions from each cycle:
About the Candidate
I am the Chief of the Major Crimes Section at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Board Certified in Criminal Law and should be your choice to be the next judge of the 359th District Court in the March 3rd Montgomery County Republican Primary. I have been, am, and will always be 100 percent committed to criminal justice. In March 2016, I started his career as a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. While at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, I prosecuted misdemeanor and juvenile offenders. I responded to vehicular crimes fatality scenes as part of the Vehicular Crimes Callout Team and also managed the misdemeanor Veterans Court Program. Having had a front row seat to watch soft on crime, Democrat judges take over in Harris County, I applied to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and was hired by Brett Ligon in November 2017. On behalf of the citizens of the State of Texas, I have prosecuted over 4000 cases to disposition including violent crime, crimes against children, human trafficking, complex financial crimes, organized crime, narcotics cases, and money laundering. During my time as a prosecutor, I have distinguished myself as a notable trial lawyer having tried over forty cases to verdict. I have also been awarded the Trial Dog trophy for having tried the most felony cases in the office over the course of a year on two separate occasions. I have litigated some of the most serious cases in Montgomery County including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Children, Failure to Render Aid Causing Death, Intoxication Manslaughter, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, and Aggravated Sexual Assault. I currently serve as the Major Crimes Section Chief. In this role, I handle non-domestic violence homicides, proactive narcotics cases (including overdose death investigations), confidential source coordination, money laundering, organized crime, crimes committed gang members, and other special projects as directed by the District Attorney. Through vertical prosecution, I build cases with law enforcement and handle every aspect of the case through trial. These duties require me to process legal issues quickly and advise law enforcement on legal considerations in some of the most complex investigations in our county....
Reviewer Feedback (1)
Experienced prosecutor, but his professional focus has been primarily on prosecution with no defense background
Questions & Answers
Full Name (exactly as you want it listed on your Candidate Page)
Michael Ghutzman
Please place a link here for your Campaign website address or FaceBook Page Link
https://www.michaelghutzman.com
What is your religion/faith tradition?
Catholic
Please list any degrees or professional certifications that you have
A.A. Business Administration - San Jacinto College B.S. Economics - Texas A&M University M.P.S.A Bush School of Gov't - Texas A&M University...
What is your occupation?
Chief Prosecutor Major Crimes Section Montgomery County District Attorney's Office
What is your marital status?
Married
Do you have children, if yes, how many?
5
Are you the incumbent candidate in this race?
Candidate in a race with no incumbent
Please Upload Your Photo or email it to info@mcteaparty.org
Upload Your Resume or Bio
No response provided.
Candidate Bio: If you do not want to upload a Resume or Bio document above, Please place the text you want posted under "Candidate Bio" here
I am the Chief of the Major Crimes Section at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Board Certified in Criminal Law and should be your choice to be the next judge of the 359th District Court in the March 3rd Montgomery County Republican Primary. I have been, am, and will always be 100 percent...
Party
Republican
County
Montgomery
For which Texas or District Courts Race are you a candidate?
District Courts - 359th District
Why are you seeking this bench and what 3 primary goals do you plan to accomplish if you are elected
Montgomery County needs a tough on crime judge with the commitment, experience, and drive to reduce the case backlog, keep our community safe, and assist law enforcement with search warrant applications 24/7/365. ...
Please describe the qualifications and experience that make you the best candidate for the office you are seeking.
I am the Chief of the Major Crimes Section at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Board Certified in Criminal Law and should be your choice to be the next judge of the 359th District Court in the March 3rd Montgomery County Republican Primary. I have been, am, and will always be 100 percent ...
As a judge, what do you believe the goals of the criminal justice system should be?
1. Justice – Ensuring every defendant receives a fair trial, due process, and equal treatment under the law, while victims and their families are treated with dignity and respect. 2. Public Safety – Protecting law-abiding citizens by swiftly and firmly holding offenders accountable, ...
Please describe your judicial philosophy.
1. Textualism and Originalism – I will interpret the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution, and statutes according to their plain text and original meaning at the time they were adopted. The role of a judge is not to rewrite laws or impose personal policy preferences. It is to apply the law as written by our elected representatives. ...
Please describe what you believe are the most significant issues in this race, why and what you'll do to address them?
1. Clear the Case Backlog and Streamline Operations - The 359th District Court currently has over 1,100 pending cases while other District Courts handling felony criminal matters have around 700. Proactive case management is necessary to resolve cases reducing delays that burden victims and taxpayers while ...
Please explain your view of recidivism and how it affects the sentences you (would) give.
Recidivism is a red flag, but not a punitive reflex. I will never ignore a defendant’s criminal history. I will use a defendant’s criminal history to assess risk and tailor sentences that balance an offender’s need for punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation when appropriate.
CSPOA says "Civil forfeiture laws pose one of the greatest threats to property rights in the nation today..." How should these Civil Forfeiture issues be addressed?
As a prosecutor, I have always adhered to statutory and constitutional requirements in civil forfeiture cases. In my courtroom, property will only be forfeited when the law and facts specifically allow for it.
To what extent do you believe the state or federal government should be able to obtain court orders directing parents to do things for their children that the parent does not believe should be done?
Parental rights are fundamental. Any judicial intrusion must be narrow, evidence-based, and strictly limited to prevent harm.
You are asking for the Republican nomination, what have you done to give back to the GOP?
Both my wife and I have consistently and exclusively voted in Republican primaries. We have financially supported Republican candidates such as Donald Trump, Brett Ligon, and Judge John Hafley. I put signs out with Judge Vince Santini. I have also attended a number of fundraisers to support Republican elected ...
Are you an active member of a conservative group? Which ones? How long and in what capacity?
I am not a member at this time.
What is your opinion of the Paxton case? Is there anything that should have been handled differently?
Since this remains a high-profile matter involving a state official and judicial processes that could intersect with ongoing civil litigation or future appeals and given the office for which I am running, I must respectfully decline to offer an opinion.
Are the United States and Texas constitutions living documents? Please answer in the context of Progressivism versus Originalism.
No. I will faithfully apply the text of the U.S. and Texas Constitutions as written and give effect to the plain meaning of the words at the time they were adopted. Judges should not legislate from the bench.
Should the state license barbers? Lawyers? Why or why not?
I am running for a position where I will be required to apply the law, not decide it. I respectfully decline to comment further.
Do you think judges should be elected by the people or appointed by a commission?
Elected by the people
Please describe the best way for the average voter to determine which judicial candidate is best.
Actions and experience are the best measure of commitment, and we need our next judge to be experienced in the handling of serious felony cases. I have been, am, and will be 100 percent committed to criminal justice. Experience, education, certifications, and endorsements matter.
What are the limits of federal judicial review as far as the 10th amendment is concerned?
I can affirm that the Tenth Amendment is a constitutional limit on federal power. If I am elected, I will uphold the U.S. and Texas Constitutions as written.
What area of Criminal Justice needs the most urgent reform? What have you done to promote reform?
Cybercrime. The law is woefully behind on this front. I wrote two bills, HB 2594 and HB 3185, that were both signed by Governor Abbott. HB 2594 modified the venue statute for theft allowing prosecutors to file theft cases involving intangible property (e.g. cryptocurrency, digital assets, etc.) where the victim resides. ...
How is the preamble "Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution." applicable to Texas Courts?
I recognize that our rights, our freedom, and our continued prosperity originates with God. I will faithfully apply the written text of the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.
How many days off (from the bench) per year is reasonable for a judge to learn (seminars & workshops) or teach (give educational or motivational talks) or network with other county officials?
I believe that people select judges to work as judges, not build their resumes. Canon 3 from the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct is instructive: Canon 3: Performing the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially and Diligently ...
Please list who is endorsing you and what their relationship to you is?
HPOU PAC COPS CLEAT PAC ...
Among the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), which one do you respect the most, and why? Which one do you respect the least, and why? What judicial philosophy should a SCOTUS Justice have?
I hold the Supreme Court in the highest regard as the final arbiter of federal law. Expressing respect or lack thereof for any Supreme Court Justice could be interpreted as prejudging how I might apply their precedents, undermining the impartiality required of the bench.
Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? (e.g., Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcies?)
Not to my knowledge.
Optional URL 1 : Provide a link to any additional info you want voters to see
https://michaelghutzman.com/endorsements
Optional URL 2 : Provide a link to any additional info you want voters to see
https://www.facebook.com/ghutzmanforjudge/
Optional URL 3 : Provide a link to any additional info you want voters to see
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ghutzman-456a982b0/
MCTP Interview Video
https://youtu.be/BtI7dbKatbQ