PEOPLE

Public Service is Back In Judge Redden’s Court

by Charlotte Kovalchuk photos courtesy Rhonda Redden

Rhonda Redden was working as a crime scene investigator for Hutto PD when a change in leadership at the Precinct 4 justice of the peace level in 2019 prompted her to run for the seat. “I think I can do better,” she realized. “So I put my money where my mouth is, got a master’s degree, ran the race and, oddly enough, ended up winning.”

The JP4 court hears evictions, debt claims, truancies, and criminal and civil cases filed in east Williamson County. Although her court is busy, Judge Redden’s first order of business since being sworn in January 1 has been re-establishing relationships with schools and law enforcement agencies. For some time, law enforcement in Precinct 4 have been filing traffic violations in JP3 or not writing them at all because they did not feel their tickets were making a difference as they were often summarily dismissed by JP4. This caused JP3 to be quite overwhelmed with traffic citations. “I want to rebuild those relationships, so they feel their issues are not only being heard but dealt with,” Rhonda says.

She hopes her efforts will help lighten the load for the JP3 office, which sees 16,000 cases a year while the JP4 office sees 3,100.

“A BETTER PATH”

Helping at-risk youth is another item on her docket. She is eager to facilitate and work with several of the early intervention programs in her court, particularly pre-trial diversion, mentoring, Jail to Jobs, and Teen Court. “The last thing I want to see is someone 18 years old go to prison. I’ve seen it happen over the last few decades,” Rhonda says. “I feel if we can intervene for them at this lower level and at a much earlier stage of life, we can get them on a better path. I want to save everyone we can possibly save.”

Judge Redden is looking forward to expanding some of these programs when the JP4 office moves from its office in Taylor to a planned larger space in the county annex in Hutto in 2024.

Scan here to visit the JP4 website. Rhonda and her husband Greg

“OVERALL, I WANT TO BRING THIS OFFICE BACK FROM THIS POLITICAL FOCUS AND BACK TO A PUBLIC SERVICE FOCUS WHERE IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE.”

The Right Professional. The Perfect Fit.

A Perfect Fit means a trusted advisor knowledgeable in every facet of Central Texas real estate. It means someone who is thorough with impeccable follow through and communication. It means someone who puts your needs rst and is simply passionate about helping people achieve their goals.

From the Ground Up

Lara’s stellar service is grounded in experience gleaned from years and years working in the home building industry, which has provided a deep understanding of land, construction, marketing, and nancing. She has an amazing knowledge of the communities, neighborhoods, and property values. Ask her clients and they describe a professional who is thorough, an excellent communicator, and someone who cares deeply about helping others.

254-228-9870

lara.ingalsbe@outlook.com LaraIngalsbe.com

Jarrell ISD is Hiring

Megan Murphy

APHumanGeographyTeacher

"I have teaching mentors who guide me along the way. We take care of each other. These are the reasons why I call Jarrell ISD home.

Open Positions

Principals

Teachers Attedance Clerk Registrar Aides Bus Driver And more

Benefits

Free Basic Health Insurance Sign on Bonus Retention Stipend Leadership Opportunities

www.jarrellisd.org/employment