Clifford A. Brown received his BBA in Business Management & Finance from Adelphi University (New York). He earned a Juris Doctorate at The George Washington University- National Law Center (Washington D.C.).

Austin Bar Blog

Judge Brown is very active in the Austin community through his church (Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church) where he serves as a member of the Deacon’s Ministry. He has been a volunteer board member and coach with the Lake Travis Youth Association.

He also routinely speaks at various church, community, and civic conferences. Judge Brown and his wife, Tammie, have two adult daughters.

Cliff Brown earned a bachelor's degree in business management and finance from Adelphi University and a law degree from The George Washington University National Law Center. He is a member of the Deacon's Ministry at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife, Tammie, have two daughters.

DEI Committee Spotlight for Black History Month: Judge Clifford Brown

Cliff earned a bachelor's degree in business management and finance from Adelphi University and a law degree from The George Washington University National Law Center. He is a member of the Deacon's Ministry at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife, Tammie, have two daughters.

In January 2007, Mr. Brown was selected to serve as the City of Austin police monitor and in November 2010, Mr. Brown was elected to serve as a state district court judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County.

In 2004 Mr. Brown was selected to serve in a newly created position as a community prosecutor in the north-central area of Austin. This position was that of a non-traditional prosecutor, where he served as a liaison working in partnership with various community residents, groups, organizations, and the Austin Police Department seeking to help facilitate solutions to local problems.

Mr. Brown and his family relocated to Austin in 1999, where he accepted a position with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting the most serious cases in Travis County including homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assaults.

In 1993 he entered private practice as a partner in the New York City firm of Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George. He represented clients in all phases of criminal defense and civil litigation.

After law school he accepted a position as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in New York City, where he prosecuted a wide variety of crimes including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and robbery, as well as homicide cases.

Cliff Brown previously served as the City of Austin police monitor and as a community prosecutor in north-central Austin. He also worked for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, was a partner at the New York City law firm Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George, and served as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in New York City.

Cliff previously served as the City of Austin police monitor and as a community prosecutor in north-central Austin. He also worked for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, was a partner at the New York City law firm Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George, and served as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in New York City.

In January 2007, Mr. Brown was selected to serve as the City of Austin police monitor and in November 2010, Mr. Brown was elected to serve as a state district court judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County. He took the bench in January 2011 and now presides over the most serious felony cases, ensuring that all participants in the criminal justice system are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Judge Brown is the Presiding Judge for the Travis County Criminal Courts. Judge Brown has served as the presiding judge of the 147th District Court since January, 2011.

147th Criminal District Court | Travis County, Texas

Cliff currently serves as a state district court judge on the 147th District Court in Travis County. He was elected in 2010 and has served since January 2011.

Cliff Brown currently serves as a state district court judge on the 147th District Court in Travis County. He was elected in 2010 and has served since January 2011.

2026 Texas General Election

Prosecuted criminal cases as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide cases.

Represented clients in criminal defense and civil litigation as a partner at the New York City law firm Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George.

Prosecuted serious criminal cases, including homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assault, at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.

Served as the City of Austin police monitor beginning in January 2007.

Presides over serious felony cases as judge of Travis County’s 147th District Court, a position held since January 2011.

- Prosecuted criminal cases as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide cases.
- Represented clients in criminal defense and civil litigation as a partner at the New York City law firm Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George.
- Prosecuted serious criminal cases, including homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assault, at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
- Served as the City of Austin police monitor beginning in January 2007.
- Presides over serious felony cases as judge of Travis County’s 147th District Court, a position held since January 2011.

Legal Experience

Judge Brown says right now his focus is on the cases where defendants have been behind bars for more than a year. "That’s very easy. It is the oldest jail cases. Those cases get priority. Oldest jail cases, period," said Brown.

Jury trials back at full capacity at Travis County District Court | FOX 7 Austin

Judge Brown says if nothing else, COVID was a huge learning experience on how court could be done more efficiently. Despite the gap in jury trials, many cases were still able to be resolved through virtual dockets, something that may turn out to be the new normal. "Requiring 90 people to come to court every day to come before me for five minutes, really doesn’t accomplish much. So we’re only making persons come to court when something significant is going to happen in their case, said Brown.

Judge Brown has served as the presiding judge of the 147th District Court since January, 2011. Judge Brown also oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program which allows offenders meeting certain eligibility criteria to avoid prosecution through successful completion of a period during which there are no new arrests, and all requirements of the term are completed.

Prioritizes the oldest jail cases when scheduling cases for trial.

Said the court requires people to appear in person only when something significant will occur in their case.

Oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program, which allows eligible offenders to avoid prosecution after completing its requirements without new arrests.

- Prioritizes the oldest jail cases when scheduling cases for trial.
- Said the court requires people to appear in person only when something significant will occur in their case.
- Oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program, which allows eligible offenders to avoid prosecution after completing its requirements without new arrests.

Judicial Administration

And his background – one of five kids raised by a single mother with limited means – gives him an understanding that he says would be invaluable on the bench. "To put it succinctly," he says, "people are more than their current predicaments."

147th District Court: Two Kinds of Experience

Said, “people are more than their current predicaments.”

- Said, “people are more than their current predicaments.”

Judicial Philosophy

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

Ethics & Conduct

Serves in the Deacon’s Ministry at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Served as a community prosecutor in north-central Austin.

- Serves in the Deacon’s Ministry at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.
- Served as a community prosecutor in north-central Austin.

Community Involvement

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Cliff Brown

- Oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program, which allows eligible offenders to avoid prosecution after completing its requirements without new arrests.

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

Cliff Brown earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in business management and finance from Adelphi University and a law degree from the George Washington University National Law Center. He and his family relocated to Austin in 1999. He serves in the Deacon’s Ministry at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and has been a volunteer board member and coach with the Lake Travis Youth Association.

Mr. Brown and his family relocated to Austin in 1999, where he accepted a position with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting the most serious cases in Travis County including homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assaults. In 2004 Mr. Brown was selected to serve in a newly created position as a community prosecutor in the north-central area of Austin.

Mr. Brown has extensive litigation experience, having worked as both a defense attorney and prosecutor. After law school he accepted a position as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in New York City, where he prosecuted a wide variety of crimes including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and robbery, as well as homicide cases.

Cliff Brown most recently served as the City of Austin police monitor. He previously served as a community prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, and was a partner at the New York City firm of Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George.

The Honorable Cliff Brown. Judge Brown is the Presiding Judge for the Travis County Criminal Courts. Judge Brown has served as the presiding judge of the 147th District Court since January, 2011.

District Judge, 147th Judicial District  |  |  |  | Cliff Brown(I)  | DEM  | 181,097  | 100.00%  |  |  |  | -----------  |  |  | Race Total  | 181,097  |

elections.sos.state.tx.us (Race Summary Report - 2014 General Election)

District Judge, 147th Judicial District -  |  |  | Cliff Brown(I)  |  DEM  | 353,780  | 100.00%  |  |  | -----------  |  |  | Race Total  | 353,780

elections.sos.state.tx.us (Race Summary Report - 2018 General Election)

Cliff currently serves as a judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County. He was elected in 2010 and took the bench in January 2011; state election results list him as the incumbent in 2014 and 2018.

2018 General Election

Served as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, prosecuting child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide cases.

Practiced as a partner at Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George, representing clients in criminal defense and civil litigation.

Served with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assault cases.

Served as the City of Austin police monitor beginning in 2007.

Has served as presiding judge of Travis County’s 147th District Court since 2011, overseeing serious felony cases.

As a District Judge, oversees a felony pretrial diversion program allowing eligible offenders to avoid prosecution by completing program requirements without new arrests.

- As a District Judge, oversees a felony pretrial diversion program allowing eligible offenders to avoid prosecution by completing program requirements without new arrests.

Has served as a volunteer board member of the Lake Travis Youth Association.

Has coached for the Lake Travis Youth Association.

Facilitates monthly Harvest Foundations African American Men and Boys' Conferences.

Previously served on the board of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

Co-chairs Austin Do the Write-Thing, an anti-violence and bullying program.

Serves on the board of the Bakari Foundation.

Served as a community prosecutor, partnering with residents, organizations, and police to facilitate solutions to local problems.

DEI Committee Spotlight for Black History Month: Judge Clifford Brown

Clifford A. Brown received his BBA in Business Management & Finance from Adelphi University (New York). He earned a Juris Doctorate at The George Washington University- National Law Center (Washington D.C.).

Cliff Brown earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in business management and finance from Adelphi University and a law degree from George Washington University National Law Center.

Mr. Brown has extensive litigation experience, having worked as both a defense attorney and prosecutor. After law school he accepted a position as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in New York City, where he prosecuted a wide variety of crimes including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and robbery, as well as homicide cases.

In 1993 he entered private practice as a partner in the New York City firm of Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George. He represented clients in all phases of criminal defense and civil litigation. As a criminal defense attorney, Brown handled several high-profile cases involving both celebrity, as well as indigent clients.

Mr. Brown and his family relocated to Austin in 1999, where he accepted a position with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting the most serious cases in Travis County including homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assaults. In 2004 Mr. Brown was selected to serve in a newly created position as a community prosecutor in the north-central area of Austin.

In January 2007, Mr. Brown was selected to serve as the City of Austin police monitor and in November 2010, Mr. Brown was elected to serve as a state district court judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County. He took the bench in January 2011 and now presides over the most serious felony cases, ensuring that all participants in the criminal justice system are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. He is presently the presiding judge of the Travis County criminal courts.

Cliff served as the City of Austin police monitor. He previously worked as a community prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, a partner at Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George, and an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

Cliff was elected as a state district court judge for the 147th District Court in Travis County in 2010 and took the bench in January 2011.

Served as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, prosecuting crimes including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide.

Worked as a partner at Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George, representing clients in criminal defense and civil litigation.

Served in the Travis County District Attorney's Office, prosecuting homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assault cases.

Served as a community prosecutor in north-central Austin beginning in 2004.

Serves as a state district court judge in Travis County, presiding over serious felony cases since taking the bench in 2011.

More than two months after jury trials resumed in Travis County following a COVID hiatus, there is still a major backlog in criminal cases waiting for trial. But officials insist they are making progress in reducing that backlog.

“We are working hard to make sure everyone has their day in court. We are up. We are running,” said Travis County 147th District Court Judge Cliff Brown.
Jury trials are now back at full capacity in Travis County District Court after initially resuming in late February with an abbreviated schedule, and a COVID-modified courtroom configuration.

“The city kind of lifted all the COVID requirements, so we rapidly went back to a normal schedule,” said Brown. “Now we’re back to a place where we can really get to the grind of getting rid of the entire backlog.
What does that backlog look like? At the end of February, right before jury trials resumed, there were 245 pending cases in District Court waiting to go to trial. At the end of April, that number was 232, and now it’s dropped to 196. That’s a 20% reduction in the backlog since trials resumed.

Judge Brown says right now his focus is on the cases where defendants have been behind bars for more than a year.

“That’s very easy. It is the oldest jail cases. Those cases get priority. Oldest jail cases, period,” said Brown.

In addition, Travis County has applied for a state grant with the hopes of bringing on an extra judge to help the wheels of justice turn a little faster.

“The way we would use those funds if we are granted them is to have a dedicated judge to hear specifically family violence cases out of the district courts,” said Brown. “It would allow us to focus on other cases.”

Judge Brown says if nothing else, COVID was a huge learning experience on how court could be done more efficiently. Despite the gap in jury trials, many cases were still able to be resolved through virtual dockets, something that may turn out to be the new normal.

“Requiring 90 people to come to court every day to come before me for five minutes, really doesn’t accomplish much. So we’re only making persons come to court when something significant is going to happen in their case, said Brown.

Judge Brown has served as the presiding judge of the 147th District Court since January, 2011.

Judge Brown also oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program which allows offenders meeting certain eligibility criteria to avoid prosecution through successful completion of a period during which there are no new arrests, and all requirements of the term are completed.

Adoption of Local Rules
The “Local Rules of Procedure and Rules of Decorum for the Criminal District Courts
of Travis County, Texas” are hereby adopted by the undersigned District Judges in
Travis County on this the 25th day of June, 2025.
___________________________ ______________________________
Judge Cliff Brown Judge Dayna Blazey
147th District Court 167th District Court
Presiding Judge of the Criminal Courts

Travis County District Courts Local Rules

Said the court is working to ensure everyone has their day in court and eliminate the jury-trial backlog.

Prioritizes the oldest jail cases for trial.

Proposes using state grant funds for a dedicated judge to hear family violence cases, allowing district courts to focus on other cases.

Uses virtual dockets and limits required court appearances to significant events in a case.

Oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program, which allows eligible participants to avoid prosecution by completing program requirements without new arrests.

Adopted the 2025 Local Rules of Procedure and Rules of Decorum for Travis County Criminal District Courts.

- Said the court is working to ensure everyone has their day in court and eliminate the jury-trial backlog.
- Prioritizes the oldest jail cases for trial.
- Proposes using state grant funds for a dedicated judge to hear family violence cases, allowing district courts to focus on other cases.
- Uses virtual dockets and limits required court appearances to significant events in a case.
- Oversees the Felony Pretrial Diversion Program, which allows eligible participants to avoid prosecution by completing program requirements without new arrests.
- Adopted the 2025 Local Rules of Procedure and Rules of Decorum for Travis County Criminal District Courts.

Cliff Brown is from Houston, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in business management and finance from Adelphi University and a law degree from George Washington University. He and his wife, Tammie, have two adult daughters. He attends Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Clifford A. Brown (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Cliff is a judge for the 147th District Court in Travis County. He previously served as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney's Office in New York City and the Travis County District Attorney's Office. He also worked as a defense attorney. 

Cliff is currently a state district court judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County. He was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2016 and 2022. He previously served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1991 to 1993.

As an attorney, represented clients in criminal defense and civil litigation, handling high-profile cases involving both celebrity and indigent clients.

As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted cases of homicide, aggravated robbery, and sexual assaults.

Volunteers as a board member and coach with the Lake Travis Youth Association.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 