Jurist of the Year

Jennifer Bozorgnia, Court Administrator (Irving)

Judge Michael Acuña, Presiding Judge (Irving)

Tammy Odom, TMCA Region 8 Director

The Honorable Michael Acuña, Presiding Judge of the Irving Municipal Court, was named Jurist of the Year.

Judge Acuña has distinguished himself as an exceptional leader, guiding the Irving Municipal Court through a pivotal period of transition with steady direction and purpose. He helped establish a strong foundation built on consistency, professionalism, and accountability—ensuring the court delivers justice that is both fair and efficient.

On the bench, Judge Acuña exemplifies judicial excellence. He approaches every case with fairness, impartiality, and respect, treating all who appear before the court with dignity. At the same time, he understands the demands of a high-volume court and works to balance efficiency with an unwavering commitment to due process.

Beyond the courtroom, Judge Acuña is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader. He has supported efforts to modernize operations, improve case flow, and strengthen alignment between the judiciary, court administration, and public safety partners. He understands that strong institutions do not operate in silos—and that trust is built through communication, respect, and principled collaboration.

He also sets a meaningful tone within his court—one of professionalism, preparedness, and mutual respect—while remaining committed to mentoring others and strengthening the team around him.

Above all, Judge Acuña leads with integrity. He recognizes that municipal courts are often the public’s most direct experience with the justice system, and he carries that responsibility with balance, fairness, and dedication to public trust.

Judge Acuña represents the very best of judicial service.

Outstanding Court Support Staff Member

Landra Solansky, TMCA Treasurer

Heather Sutton, Court Administrator (Burnet)

Judge Shelley Becker, TMCA Region 7 Director

Heather Sutton, Court Administrator of the Burnet Municipal Court, was named Outstanding Court Staff Member.

Heather joined the Burnet team in 2024. 

Heather has made a measurable impact on court operations. She led the implementation of text notifications which resulted in improved communication and increased compliance rates in her Court.

Beyond court operations, Heather played a key role in advancing a City Ordinance which expanded the Municipal Court’s jurisdiction to better address nuisance abatements and public health and safety issues.

Heather was instrumental in establishing the Reality Education for Drivers (RED) Program. This program has not only benefited teens and young adults in her community but has also had a broader impact across the State of Texas. 

Her commitment to public safety education extends beyond teens and young adults. She partnered with the Herman Brown free library to present the “Clifford and the Railroad Crossing” series, which teaches children about railroad safety. Additionally, she collaborates with Burnet schools to host a Halloween-themed safety coloring contest that teaches students about personal safety.

Heathers efforts in her community have resulted in Burnet Municipal Court being recognized with the Traffic Safety Initiative Award for two consecutive years.

Heather consistently demonstrates professionalism, fairness and genuine care for everyone she encounters. 

Outstanding Prosecutor

Judge Hilda Cuthbertson, TMCA Secretary

Pam Liston, Prosecutor (Decatur)

Judge Bonnie Townsend, TMCA Past President

Pam Liston, Prosecutor of the Decatur Municipal Court, was named Outstanding Prosecutor.

She has served Municipal Courts for over 30 years, many of those as a prosecutor. Pam Liston is committed to the four tenets of Procedural Justice: voice, neutrality, understanding, and respect. Her years as a judge and a prosecutor have strengthened her resolve to make sure that individual justice is done in each case. 

Pam has also served on the Board of TMCA and is a Past President. She is also a Board Member on the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. Her work on the Commission shines a light on her caring and compassionate nature. 

Pam has served as faculty for TMCEC for many years, and her passion for education is evident. She has testified before the Texas Legislature to help Municipal Courts across the state. She was also a part of the inaugural class of TMCEC’s Prosecutor Professionalism Program.

A prosecutor’s job is to ensure that justice is served. Whether she is dealing with a defendant , opposing counsel, or a victim she conducts herself with grace and integrity that earns her the respect from all who know her. Pam understands that our system of justice is strongest when it is administered with a steady hand and a kind heart.

President's Award

Judge Hilda Cuthbertson, TMCA Secretary

Judge Julie Escalante, Judge (Baytown)

Judge Teresa Evans, TMCA President

The Honorable Julie Escalante,  Judge of the Baytown Municipal Court, was presented with the President's Award.

On February 15, 2022, Judge Escalante sent an open letter to the Board expressing her concerns about the potential shortage in funding from Court of Criminal Appeals.  This was shortly after in-person events were reopened following COVID.  She wrote:    

After driving home from my 20+ regional conference in Galveston, I had an epiphany as to the magnitude of loss that would occur if TMCEC was no longer able to provide the quality education it does, at the level it does. I confess to being guilty, despite having served on and off the board for many years, of a presumptive presupposition that things are and will always remain the same. If the last two years have taught us anything – let it be, at a minimum, that all of those realities you rarely question or think about, those you most take for granted are in actuality subject to challenge, chaotic revision or unimaginable extinction.  At our January board meeting, we all breathed a sigh of relief as the long overdue audit and successful resolution of the TXDOT grant dispute was reported.  Afterwards, it struck me- I think we, as a Board, missed the elephant in the room. Since I have served on the TMCA board, the executive directors (starting with Hope and now Ryan) have gently (maybe too gently) been coaxing us to the probability, if not eventual reality of changes in funding from the Court of Appeals and other sources. They have, in their very humble manner, been asking for our help in preparing for that eventuality. The TXDOT controversy should have been a wakeup call to us – it wasn’t.  As soon as the controversy was resolved – we immediately went back to business as usual. Changes in OCA / TXDOT leadership, and new rules for processes and procedures should also have been a wakeup call to us – they weren't. The last two years have upended every aspect of Municipal Court reality – we need to wake up. I am urging the Board and all of its members to pay serious attention to what future actions are needed to ensure our organization is able to face any and all prospective challenges- financially, structurally, operationally, technologically, etc. We owe ourselves, our members, and the staff at TMCEC, the comfort and assurance of being as prepared as possible for eventualities both seen and unseen.  Obviously, it is a complex, multi layered challenge which I, admittedly, don’t know how to solve. But I do fervently believe that all the creative, brilliant minds currently on this Board are up to the task. Our due diligence requires us to at least have the conversation.

It was a tough conversation - one she urged us to have at just the right time.  That same year, grant funding from the CCA was drastically cut.  This prompted Judge Michael Acuńa together with Judge Hilda Cuthbertson to develop and present the Board with some extreme measures to meet a new and very limited operating budget.  However, I believe it was also an easier conversation based on Judge Escalante's faith in the Board's ability to rise to the challenge.  On a separate front, I served with her my first year on the Board in 2020 when she chaired the committee responsible for selecting a software management provider to handle elections, the collection of dues, and communications with TMCA members in a more efficient and affordable manner.  After what seemed like months of demonstrations by numerous companies, Wild Apricot was chosen. It has continued to be a reliable and cost-effective tool in the era of ever increasing postage rates and technological advancements like QR codes.  

While we should all be proud of the efforts made by the Board to achieve the financial stability we have today, I am of the strong opinion that it all started with a letter to the Board from Judge Esclante.  She didn't let fear or apathy keep her from stepping up and voicing her concerns and encouraging the Board to think beyond the obvious and plan for the future.  Her leadership and dedication throughout her many years of service have played a key role in the success of the organization today.  

Service Awards

(outgoing board members)

Judge Kathleen Person

2nd Vice President

2022 - 2026

Judge Teresa Evans

President

2025 -2026

Judge Bonnie Townsend

Past President

2020 - 2026

Proclamation

Judge Hilda Cuthbertson, TMCA Secretary

Judge Teresa Evans, TMCA President

Judge Evans presented a signed proclamation celebrating the full repayment of the 2012 loan used to purchase the building at 2210 Hancock, which houses TMCEC staff. This milestone further strengthens the association’s financial stability.

read the full proclamation here

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the return of our educational conference in 2027.   This will be a members-only event, so stay connected with us for details as they become available.

The event will include the Annual Meeting for association business, educational sessions offering qualifying hours toward judicial and clerk certification, and the annual Awards Dinner recognizing member-nominated individuals for outstanding contributions to municipal courts statewide.

We hope to see you there!