ITEM 6. Discussion, Consideration and Action to approve Newly Elected Official’s bonds for the following offices and terms: Newt Cunningham – County Judge – 4 year term; Doug Kopf – Commissioner Precinct 4 – 4 year term; April Gibbs – District Clerk – 4 year term; Louise Goodwater – Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 – 4 year term – County Commissioners Court (R) January 03, 2023

Commissioners Court (R) January 03, 2023 (PDF)

Louise Goodwater was elected Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 for a four-year term.

Louise Goodwater currently serves as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1.

2026 Texas General Election

Serves a four-year term as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, presiding over civil and fine-only misdemeanor cases.

As a justice court judge, oversees cases involving minor criminal offenses and low-value civil suits, administers oaths to public officials, handles requests for orders of protection against harassment, and performs marriage ceremonies.

- As a justice court judge, oversees cases involving minor criminal offenses and low-value civil suits, administers oaths to public officials, handles requests for orders of protection against harassment, and performs marriage ceremonies.

Legal Experience

Fannin County JPs Louise Goodwater and Kenny Karl led a detailed discussion regarding their request to have a committee formed to address setting up funeral contracts with interested funeral homes involving the county’s inquests.

FC Commissioners Court – Reaching For Solutions

Jointly requested a committee to develop funeral home contracts for county inquests.

Supports forming a committee to develop funeral home contracts for county inquests.

- Supports forming a committee to develop funeral home contracts for county inquests.

Judicial Administration

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

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Louise Goodwater

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

Louise is a public official. She previously served as a Fannin County commissioner. 

Louise Goodwater (Fannin County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 ...

A New Year and an Oath of Office - FANNIN COUNTY LEADER

Candidates filing deadline closes for March 3 primary election

Louise previously served as a Fannin County Commissioner.

Served as a Fannin County Commissioner and has experience in local government.

Believes in the importance of transparency and accountability in her role as Justice of the Peace.

Focuses on community engagement, improving local services, and ensuring fair justice in her precinct.

Louise is a justice of the peace for Fannin County, Texas. She previously served as a Fannin County commissioner. 

Louise is currently a justice of the peace for Fannin County, Precinct 1. She previously served as a Fannin County Commissioner.

Buket Urgen

Chazzy Bailey

- 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.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.