Community Engagement

Beyond the courtroom, I am actively involved in the Lions Club, contributing to initiatives like the "Sleep in Heavenly Peace" project. This endeavor focuses on constructing beds for children in need, ensuring they have a comfortable place to sleep.

Judge Joseph Russell’s Mission for a Safer Kaufman County

Joseph Russell is involved in the Lions Club and contributes to its Sleep in Heavenly Peace project, which constructs beds for children in need.

A Year on the Bench: Judge Joseph Russell on Serving Kaufman ...

Foundation of Experience

My legal career, spanning since 1998, has encompassed extensive practice in criminal, family, CPS, and juvenile law. With a substantial background in jury trials and the management of thousands of cases, I have gained an understanding of human complexities.

In 2021, he said the county realized it had a problem.

“As a criminal defense lawyer here, I did juvenile crime for 25 years here, and so I saw it develop from fairly minor things and fairly low-level crimes to now we have murder charges,” said Kaufman County Court at Law Judge Joseph Russell.

Texas agencies report a slight decrease in juvenile crime

Joseph Russell practiced criminal, family, and juvenile law as a criminal defense lawyer.

Texas agencies report slight decrease in juvenile crime

County Court at Law

Judge Joseph Russell

Judge Russell was elected County Court at Law Judge in May 2024 and was sworn in on July 1, 2024.

County Court at Law

Russell faces no opponent in the November general election. He fills the unexpired term that expires December 31, 2026.

Joseph Russell Sworn In As Judge, Kaufman County Court At Law

Joseph currently serves as Kaufman County Court-at-Law Judge. He was elected in May 2024 to fill an unexpired term that expires December 31, 2026.

County Court at Law | Kaufman County, TX

2026 Texas General Election

Kaufman County Court at Law

Bar Card Number: 24007967
TX License Date: 11/06/1998

Primary Practice Location: Kaufman , Texas

State Bar of Texas Attorney Profile

Kaufman, TX 75142-8859

Practice Areas: Criminal, Family

CONTACT INFORMATION

2.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide 

Practiced criminal, family, child protective services, and juvenile law since 1998, with jury-trial experience and having managed thousands of cases.

Practiced criminal, family, child protective services, and juvenile law since 1998, with jury-trial experience.

Worked as a criminal defense lawyer handling juvenile crime cases for 25 years.

Handled juvenile crime cases for 25 years.

As a county court judge, he oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations and issues search and arrest warrants.

- Practiced criminal, family, child protective services, and juvenile law since 1998, with jury-trial experience.
- Handled juvenile crime cases for 25 years.
- As a county court judge, he oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations and issues search and arrest warrants.

Legal Experience

The law has to mean something, and accountability matters. Punishment alone doesn’t fix everything. True justice comes from holding people responsible while also recognizing when someone is ready to turn things around. Some need treatment, some need time in custody, and others need guidance. My role is to weigh all of that and make decisions that protect the community while also safeguarding their constitutional rights. I do believe in giving people a chance to rebuild their lives if they’ve earned it.

A Year on the Bench: Judge Joseph Russell on Serving Kaufman County and What He’s Learned

Those are some of the hardest cases because there’s not an easy answer. When children are involved, every decision affects a family for years to come. The top priority is always the safety of the child, but I also understand that families can heal and change. I focus on finding the balance between protection and opportunity for redemption. Those parents have to work for that though.

Judges are not lawmakers. Our job is to interpret and apply the law exactly as it’s written, setting aside our own opinions. That’s what keeps our legal system efficient and reliable. If people want the laws to change, that’s up to their elected representatives. My role is to follow the Constitution and the laws of Texas, not to rewrite them or interpret them in such a way unforeseen by our lawmakers.

That I take my responsibility seriously. My decisions are guided by the law, not by politics or personal opinion. I serve everyone who comes into my court with fairness, respect, and an open mind. The rule of law is what holds our community together, and my goal is to honor it every day I’m on the bench.

Believes justice should hold people accountable while considering treatment, custody, guidance, and opportunities to rebuild their lives when earned.

Prioritizes child safety while balancing protection with opportunities for family redemption when parents have earned it.

Prioritizes child safety while balancing protection with opportunities for family redemption.

Believes judges should interpret and apply laws as written, following the Constitution and Texas law rather than rewriting laws.

Said that court decisions are guided by law rather than politics or personal opinion, and that everyone is served with fairness, respect, and an open mind.

- Believes justice should hold people accountable while considering treatment, custody, guidance, and opportunities to rebuild their lives when earned.
- Prioritizes child safety while balancing protection with opportunities for family redemption.
- Believes judges should interpret and apply laws as written, following the Constitution and Texas law rather than rewriting laws.
- Said that court decisions are guided by law rather than politics or personal opinion, and that everyone is served with fairness, respect, and an open mind.

Judicial Philosophy

In response to the pressing issue of alcohol-related offenses, we have initiated a DWI Treatment Court. This program aims to address the root causes of alcohol addiction, offering offenders a structured path to recovery and reducing recidivism. Witnessing individuals transform their lives through this initiative is rewarding.

The Substance Abuse Felony Punishment (SAFP) Reentry Court, along with the newly established DWI Treatment Court, plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety. By focusing on rehabilitation and structured reentry into society, these programs aim to reduce repeat offenses and promote long-term community well-being.

Looking ahead, I am dedicated to expanding treatment programs and establishing a Juvenile Justice Roundtable. This collaborative forum will address current issues in our schools and communities, analyze emerging trends, and develop proactive solutions. By bringing together school district police officers, the District Attorney's office, and the Juvenile Probation Department, we will aim to create a strategy to support our youth and maintain public safety.

As a County Court-at-Law Judge, manages criminal docket days with 60 to 150 settings to support timely court administration.

Our court maintains a rigorous schedule, managing a diverse docket of criminal, civil, and juvenile cases. On criminal docket days, we have anywhere from 60 to 150 settings in court, ensuring timely and efficient administration of justice. Jury trials are typically scheduled twice a month, requiring preparation and coordination.

Implemented a treatment court for driving while intoxicated offenses and emphasizes rehabilitation and structured reentry through the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Reentry Court to reduce repeat offenses.

Implemented a treatment court for driving while intoxicated offenses and emphasized rehabilitation and structured reentry through the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Reentry Court to reduce repeat offenses.

Plans to expand treatment programs and establish a Juvenile Justice Roundtable to coordinate responses to issues affecting schools and communities.

- Implemented a treatment court for driving while intoxicated offenses and emphasized rehabilitation and structured reentry through the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Reentry Court to reduce repeat offenses.
- Plans to expand treatment programs and establish a Juvenile Justice Roundtable to coordinate responses to issues affecting schools and communities.

Judicial Administration

As of July 22, 2026, Joseph Russell did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteers with the Lions Club on the Sleep in Heavenly Peace project, which constructs beds for children in need.

- Volunteers with the Lions Club on the Sleep in Heavenly Peace project, which constructs beds for children in need.

Community Involvement

Facebook

Joseph Russell

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

Joseph Russell is from Kaufman County, Texas. He is a grandfather and is actively involved in the Lions Club.

Joseph is a judge for the Kaufman County Court at Law. He previously worked as a criminal defense lawyer for 25 years. 

Joseph is currently a judge of the Kaufman County Court at Law. He was elected in 2024 and is currently serving his first term. He previously served as a judge in Kaufman County.

Joseph Russell (Kaufman County Court at Law No. 1, Texas ...

Has practiced law since 1998, with extensive experience in criminal, family, CPS, and juvenile law, managing thousands of cases and participating in jury trials.

Believes judges should interpret and apply the law as written, without personal opinions, and that changes to the law should be made through elected representatives.

For Candidate Joseph Russell on Issue judicial-administration: Emphasizes efficient court scheduling and management of a diverse docket to ensure timely administration of justice.

For Candidate Joseph Russell on Issue judicial-administration: Supports rehabilitation and structured reentry programs like the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Reentry Court and DWI Treatment Court to enhance public safety and reduce repeat offenses.

Actively involved in the Lions Club, contributing to initiatives like constructing beds for children in need through the "Sleep in Heavenly Peace" project.

Dedicated to expanding treatment programs and establishing a Juvenile Justice Roundtable to address community issues and support youth through collaboration with local agencies.

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

- 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.