Ballotpedia, Marq Clayton

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Marquetta is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma and a law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law. She has 2 children. 

Marquetta currently works as a managing attorney at The Clayton Law Firm. She previously worked as an assistant county attorney of the Hood County Attorney's office, as a client service analyst at Mercer, and as a senior pension analyst at Milliman. 

Marquetta "Marq" Clayton ran for Judge of the Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 7 in 2022, but she did not win. 

Candidate website

As a managing attorney of The Clayton Law Firm, P.C. for 8 years, Clayton oversees finances and budgeting, shapes and enforces firm culture, helps attract new clients, manages and mentors legal associates, and guides growth in the firm’s legal practice areas.

As a defense attorney, fights for clients and has built strong relationships in Tarrant County.

As an attorney at The Clayton Law Firm, P.C. for 8 years, Clayon researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in Criminal Defense, Family Law, including child support, custody, divorce, Wills & Estates Planning, and Probate.

Serves as the the Tarrant County Expunction Clinic Chair, where she provides pro bono expunction and nondisclosure services for individuals unable to afford such services.

- As a managing attorney of The Clayton Law Firm, P.C. for 8 years, Clayton oversees finances and budgeting, shapes and enforces firm culture, helps attract new clients, manages and mentors legal associates, and guides growth in the firm’s legal practice areas.
- As an attorney at The Clayton Law Firm, P.C. for 8 years, Clayon researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in Criminal Defense, Family Law, including child support, custody, divorce, Wills & Estates Planning, and Probate.
- Serves as the the Tarrant County Expunction Clinic Chair, where she provides pro bono expunction and nondisclosure services for individuals unable to afford such services.

Legal Experience

The Dallas Express, ‘We Have To Do Better’: Clayton for County Criminal Court Judge

Believes the justice system needs to be more dependable, honest, and fair to restore faith among the people.

Believes the justice system needs to be more dependable, honest, and fair to restore public faith. 

Wants to address transparency in the Justice System.

Wants to "bring our inmates back to Tarrant County instead of putting money into private prisons..."

Wants to reduce jail overcrowding by allowing individuals with under $500 bonds to be released on a personal recognizance (PR) bond.

Believes County "courts are so backlogged because they are not running efficient dockets.”

- Believes the justice system needs to be more dependable, honest, and fair to restore public faith. 
- Wants to address transparency in the Justice System.
- Wants to "bring our inmates back to Tarrant County instead of putting money into private prisons..."
- Wants to reduce jail overcrowding by allowing individuals with under $500 bonds to be released on a personal recognizance (PR) bond.
- Believes County "courts are so backlogged because they are not running efficient dockets.”

Judicial Administration

Believes judges should follow the law, uphold the constitution, and ensure just and equitable sentencing.

Said if elected she would "uphold the constitution, and ensure just and equitable sentencing."

Said "I can probably count three judges who I feel can be firm and compassionate...I see in courts where judges are mean, demeaning, and disrespectful. This makes my skin crawl."

Believes poor treatment from law enforcement and legal representatives leads to recidivism.

- Said if elected she would "uphold the constitution, and ensure just and equitable sentencing."
- Said "I can probably count three judges who I feel can be firm and compassionate...I see in courts where judges are mean, demeaning, and disrespectful. This makes my skin crawl."
- Believes poor treatment from law enforcement and legal representatives leads to recidivism.

Judicial Philosophy

As of September 7, 2024, Marquetta "Marq" Clayton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Marquetta "Marq" Clayton

Marquetta "Marq" Clayton is an Oklahoma City native who relocated to Tarrant County during grade school. She attended Morton Elementary, Workman Junior High School, and Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas, and later received a Bachelor of Art in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. She has two children, Ariana Lynn and Joshua Cayden.

Marquetta "Marq" Clayton is the managing attorney of The Clayton Law Firm and a criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, Texas. She previously worked as the first African American Assistant County Attorney in Hood County, Texas, and as a senior pension analyst in corporate America.

As of September 12, 2024, Marquetta "Marq" Clayton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Has experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and family law attorney.

As the 1st African American Assistant County Attorney in Hood County, Texas, prosecuted criminal cases and represented the state in child custody cases.

Believes the criminal justice system needs to be rebuilt with "equality, honesty, and humanity."

Believes they have demonstrated the necessary skills to fulfill the responsibilities of Judge for Tarrant County Criminal District Court 2.

Believes the only way to improve the criminal justice system is to be of service to it.

Supports giving voting priority to individuals with substantial mobility impairments.

Believes their diverse experience will enhance the criminal justice system in Tarrant County.

Believes in "ruling firmly but with compassion" as a judge.

Supports allowing individuals with disabilities to bring assistance into the voting booth and request help from election officials.

Supports allowing individuals who are incarcerated but not convicted of a crime to vote.

Believes her diverse experiences will enhance the criminal justice system and provide immediate value to Tarrant County.

Believes their "critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership abilities" demonstrate fair competencies for judicial decision-making.

Promises to uphold the law and the constitution.

Believes in fair and impartial judgment in criminal cases.

Said, "As I campaign for this role, honesty, fairness, and integrity are my focal points."

Has been involved in community service for many years.

Participated in the LCDLA MLK Day parade.

Ballotpedia

William is originally from Fort Worth, Texas. He attended All Saints’ Episcopal School. William earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and a law degree and master's degree in business administration from St. Mary’s University. He attends St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, where he is a parishioner.

William is a prosecutor. He has worked as the assistant chief of the District Attorney’s Intimate Partner Violence Unit in Tarrant County, Texas and as a prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit at the Texas Department of Public Safety.

William Knight previously ran in the Republican primary election for Texas 371st District Court in 2022, but did not win.

As Assistant Chief of the District Attorney’s Intimate Partner Violence Unit, prosecuted cases of intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elderly abuse.

As assistant chief of the District Attorney’s Intimate Partner Violence Unit and Special Victims Unit, prosecuted cases of intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elderly abuse.

Served as a Staff Attorney at the Texas Department of Public Safety before serving at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

As a staff attorney at the Texas Department of Public Safety, reviewed the charges individuals were arrested for, determined which cases and charges would be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the department, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

- As assistant chief of the District Attorney’s Intimate Partner Violence Unit and Special Victims Unit, prosecuted cases of intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elderly abuse.
- As a staff attorney at the Texas Department of Public Safety, reviewed the charges individuals were arrested for, determined which cases and charges would be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the department, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

As of September 7, 2024, William Knight’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes judges should interpret the law as written and not "legislate from the bench."

Believes in a conservative judicial philosophy.

Believes the "rule of law has never been more important" and plans to continue enforcing local laws as a judge.

- Believes judges should interpret the law as written and not "legislate from the bench."
- Believes in a conservative judicial philosophy.
- Believes the "rule of law has never been more important" and plans to continue enforcing local laws as a judge.

Served as a board of trustee member at All Saints’ Episcopal School.

Serves as a board of trustee member at All Saints’ Episcopal School.

- Serves as a board of trustee member at All Saints’ Episcopal School.

William Knight

William is originally from Fort Worth, Texas. He attended All Saints’ Episcopal School. He has a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and a law degree and master's degree in business administration from St. Mary’s University. He attends St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, where he is a parishioner.

William currently works as the assistant chief of the District Attorney’s Intimate Partner Violence Unit in Tarrant County, Texas. He previously worked as a prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit and as a staff attorney at the Texas Department of Public Safety.

William Knight previously ran in the Republican primary election for Texas 371st District Court in 2022, but he did not win.

- Serves as a board of trustee member at All Saints’ Episcopal School.
- Serves as parishioner at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.

William Knight was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended All Saints’ Episcopal School. He earned his B.B.A. degree at Southern Methodist University and his J.D. and M.B.A. degrees at St. Mary’s University.

William Knight is a prosecutor and currently serves as the Assistant Chief of the District Attorney’s Intimate Partner Violence Unit in Tarrant County, Texas. He previously worked as a Staff Attorney at the Texas Department of Public Safety and at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

As of September 12, 2024, William Knight’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Has experience as a criminal defense lawyer.

As president of The Federalist Society, worked with conservative leaders like Senator Ted Cruz and others from the Heritage Foundation and CATO Institute to bring a conservative perspective to law school.

Believes enforcing the law is a career path and a family tradition.

Served as president of the Federalist Society chapter at my law school.

Believes their experience in the Special Victims Unit and Intimate Partner Violence unit makes them the ideal candidate to enforce existing laws.

Believes in electing lawyers with a "principled judicial philosophy."

Supports the Republican party's judicial nominees and policies.

Believes in fair and impartial judicial administration.

Believes in strong judicial administration, as evidenced by his role as chairperson of the Criminal Law Section of Tarrant Bar.

Believes in maintaining strong judicial administration by supporting the appointment of qualified and experienced professionals, such as former Criminal District Attorney Sharen Wilson, to ensure fair and efficient legal processes.

Promises to "strictly interpret the law as written and never legislate from the bench."

Believes in electing judges who "correctly follow the law."

Believes "the only thing worse than a judge not knowing the law is a judge not caring to know the law."

Complies with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

The candidate's website says, "Upon graduating, William dedicated his life to keeping our community safe."

- Has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters in the district.
- Cases either go to the Court of Appeals or directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals, where their legal reasoning may be reviewed. May hear appeals from county courts when authorized.
- County’s criminal courts administration–which has positions like case managers, magistrate support officers, and bailiffs–reports to each county’s criminal district judge.
- Criminal District Judges are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least eight years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The salary for Criminal District Judges range from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Tarrant Criminal District Judge

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Community Involvement