Mariel Kelley is from Austin, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from St. Mary 27s University School of Law. She and her husband, John, have three sons and live in North Austin.

Board – Travis County Women Lawyers' Association

Mariel Kelley is originally from Austin. She has a bachelor 's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from St. Mary 's University. She and her husband, John, have three sons and live in North Austin.

Mariel is the Criminal Division Trial Director at the Williamson County Attorney's Office. She previously worked as a prosecutor in the Travis County Attorney's Office for six and a half years. She began her legal career at the Texas Attorney General's Office in the General Litigation Division, representing state agencies and universities. Before attending law school, Mariel was a high school social studies teacher in Pflugerville ISD for five years.

 Mariel currently works as the criminal trial director for the Williamson County Attorney's Office. She previously worked as an assistant county attorney in the Travis County Attorney's Office, an assistant attorney general at the Texas Attorney General's Office, and a social studies teacher in the Pflugerville independent school district.

Mariel is currently the Criminal Division Trial Director at the Williamson County Attorney's Office. Before that, she was a prosecutor in the Travis County Attorney's Office for 6.5 years.

Mariel's campaign for Justice of the Peace in Travis County, Justice Precinct 2, is her first run for public office.

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As Criminal Division Trial Director at the Williamson County Attorney’s office, has experience representing state agencies and universities in various legal issues.

As an assistant attorney general in the general litigation division, has experience representing state agencies and universities in various legal issues.

As an assistant county attorney, prosecutes civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county attorney’s office, supervises legal and clerical staff, and conducts interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As an assistant attorney general in the general litigation division, has experience representing state agencies and universities in various legal issues.
- As an assistant county attorney, prosecutes civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county attorney’s office, supervises legal and clerical staff, and conducts interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

Texas elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Said "[m]y first priority is restoring accountability and consistency to the court."

- Said "[m]y first priority is restoring accountability and consistency to the court."

Judicial Administration

Supports "a justice system that prevents harm, treats people with dignity, and actually works for the people it serves, not just the people who already know how to navigate it."

Supports providing "stability and fairness" for tenants experiencing eviction by ensuring they "understand their rights, have access to available legal and community resources, and are treated with dignity."

Plans to launch a teen court program "to implement a proven, data-driven model that lowers recidivism for low-level offenses."

- Supports "a justice system that prevents harm, treats people with dignity, and actually works for the people it serves, not just the people who already know how to navigate it."
- Supports providing "stability and fairness" for tenants experiencing eviction by ensuring they "understand their rights, have access to available legal and community resources, and are treated with dignity."
- Plans to launch a teen court program "to implement a proven, data-driven model that lowers recidivism for low-level offenses."

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Mariel Kelley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Mariel is the membership co-chair for the Travis County Women Lawyers' Association.

- Mariel is the membership co-chair for the Travis County Women Lawyers' Association.

Community Involvement

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Mariel Kelley

Former Burnet County commissioner found guilty on animal cruelty ...

- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.
