Judge Morales brings a wealth of real-world legal experience to the bench. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law in both the public sector and private sector as an Assistant District Attorney in Fort Bend County, a litigator at a respected Houston law firm, and owner of his own boutique law practice. A graduate of Texas A&M University and South Texas College of Law, one of the nation’s top trial advocacy schools, Judge Morales also shares his knowledge with future attorneys as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

About – Chris Morales

Chris Morales graduated from Texas A&M University and South Texas College of Law.

Chris Morales currently works as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Fort Bend County, a litigator at a Houston law firm, and the owner of a law practice.

Chris Morales was elected as Judge of County Court at Law No. 1 in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He is currently the longest serving Judge in Fort Bend County.

County Court at Law 1 – Fort Bend County

Chris was elected as judge of Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 1 in 2014 and reelected in 2018 and 2022.

County Court at Law 1

2026 Texas General Election

As of July 22, 2026, Chris Morales’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Legal Experience

The campaign homepage presents this as a first-person statement by Chris Morales: "My love for the law is only surpassed by my love for this community.  My promise to you is that I will continue to follow the law as your Judge, and hold offenders accountable for a safer Fort Bend County.”

Chris Morales Campaign

Most notably, Judge Morales oversees Fort Bend County’s only Misdemeanor Mental Health Court. This innovative program helps reduce recidivism and county costs by ensuring individuals with mental health challenges receive the care they need to lead more stable, productive lives, demonstrating his belief that justice and compassion can work hand in hand.

Pledges to follow the law and hold offenders accountable.

Believes justice and compassion can work together in mental health court operations.

- Pledges to follow the law and hold offenders accountable.
- Believes justice and compassion can work together in mental health court operations.

Judicial Philosophy

A lifelong resident of Fort Bend County, Judge Morales is deeply committed to upholding the Constitution, protecting public safety, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in the courts. His leadership in implementing virtual hearings, well before the COVID-19 pandemic made them essential, helped keep the justice system running while saving taxpayer dollars.

His leadership in implementing virtual hearings, well before the COVID-19 pandemic made them essential, helped keep the justice system running while saving taxpayer dollars. His proactive approach has also led to reduced backlogs and faster access to justice for local families and businesses.

Judge Morales also leads the county’s only Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, ensuring that veterans and individuals facing mental health challenges receive the treatment and support they need to lead productive lives. He is committed to giving young people a second chance through his leadership in establishing a GED graduation program for students in the Juvenile Justice System, opening doors to education, opportunity, and a brighter future.

LIFELONG FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENT

A lifelong Fort Bend County resident, Judge Morales is dedicated to keeping our community safe. He upholds the rule of law with consistency and fairness, enforcing bail regulations, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring justice is served.

Implemented virtual hearings before the COVID-19 pandemic, which the campaign says kept the justice system operating and saved taxpayer dollars.

Leads Fort Bend County’s Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, which provides treatment and support to veterans and people with mental health challenges.

Established a General Educational Development (GED) program for students in the Juvenile Justice System.

Enforces bail regulations and holds offenders accountable as part of upholding the rule of law.

- Implemented virtual hearings before the COVID-19 pandemic, which the campaign says kept the justice system operating and saved taxpayer dollars.
- Leads Fort Bend County’s Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, which provides treatment and support to veterans and people with mental health challenges.
- Established a General Educational Development (GED) program for students in the Juvenile Justice System.
- Enforces bail regulations and holds offenders accountable as part of upholding the rule of law.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Teaches future attorneys as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

- Teaches future attorneys as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

Community Involvement

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Chris Morales

Chris is currently a judge on the Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 1.

Has practiced law in both the public and private sectors as an Assistant District Attorney, litigator at a Houston law firm, and owner of a boutique law practice.

Said, "Since taking office, Judge Morales has been instrumental in implementing new technologies in the courtroom that reduce taxpayer costs and ensure the courts evolve with the community’s changing needs. When the COVID-19 Pandemic closed the courts, Judge Morales’ previous planning and knowledge of virtual conferencing platforms allowed his Court to quickly adopt such technology to conduct remote hearings, reducing the impact on Court operations. In fact, he was the first Judge in Fort Bend County to conduct a fully remote video conferencing hearing after the courts were shut down."

Said, "His proactive approach has also led to reduced backlogs and faster access to justice for local families and businesses."

Said, "He is committed to giving young people a second chance through his leadership in establishing a GED graduation program for students in the Juvenile Justice System, opening doors to education, opportunity, and a brighter future."

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

Nireasha Murray

- A County Court-At-Law judge handles misdemeanors, such as assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer. They also handle civil cases where the amount in question does not exceed $200,000. 
- County Court-At-Law judges conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials, as well as accept guilty pleas. 
- They are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. 
- 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 four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for County Court-At-Law Judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles civil and criminal cases from District Courts.