Judge Bates Biography
Lucia became a resident of East Harris County forty one years ago. She began her career with Verizon (formerly GTE) in Baytown and left when the company relocated their business office 11 years later to San Angelo, Texas.

Judge Bates Biography

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Christian University of Southern Indiana. Judge Bates has also earned over 300 Continuing Legal Education credit hours from Texas State University and the Texas Justice Court Training Center. She is happily married to her husband, Robert, with two daughters and 3 grandbabies.

About Judge Lucia Bates

Lucia Bates has been a resident of East Harris County for 41 years. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Christian University of Southern Indiana, and has earned over 300 continuing legal education credit hours. She is married to Robert and has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Harris County Justice of the Peace (Pct. 3, Place 2)

Lucia Bates earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is a married mother of two.

Lucia Bates has experience as the founder of a marketing and advertising service agency.

Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, Texas - Ballotpedia

Lucia Bates has served as the Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, since 2019.

2026 Texas General Election

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

Legal Experience

The Working Judge

Judge Lucia Bates is committed to ensuring accessibility, safety, and service for every member of the community:




Streamlining Court Access Through Hybrid and In-Person Services
Continuing to Enhance Safety Measures for Staff and Citizens
Supporting Families Through School Supplies Initiatives

Get Involved and Support Community Impact

Public Notice of Justice Court Precinct 3, Place 2, Honorable Lucia Bates
Justice Court 3-2 is accepting filings, pleadings and payments in person, through our web page and electronic filing. Please visit www.jp.hctx.net for case information and to make payments.

Harris County Justice Court Precinct 3, Place 2

Cleared more than 20,000 backlog cases during her first term.

6. Why should people vote for you in March?

I am the only candidate in this race that has experience. I am successfully running an efficient court. In my 1st term, I have cleared over 20,000 backlog cases, made the court accessible to all citizens and I work hard every day to better the lives of those most in need.

Judicial Q&A: Judge Lucia Bates | Off the Kuff

Plans to complete the jury-trial backlog created during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. What do you hope to accomplish in your courtroom going forward?

Continue to provide the best solutions to everyone who enters the Courtroom.
Continue to be fair in my rulings.
Complete the backlog of Jury trials, put on hold during the pandemic.
Continue to Educate myself by attending all classes pertinent to the Justice of the Peace Court.

Provides in-person, web-based, and electronic options for court filings, pleadings, and payments.

- Provides in-person, web-based, and electronic options for court filings, pleadings, and payments.

Judicial Administration

Housing: One of her responsibilities as a J.P. is to resolve landlord/tenant disputes. With her background as a Realtor, she is knowledgeable in Fair Housing and Tenant Law. As President of her Homeowners Association, she also mediates with homeowners to ensure compliance with architectural guidelines and bylaws. She is dedicated to upholding the law and resolving disputes fairly and without prejudice.

Platform for Change

4. What do you hope to accomplish in your courtroom going forward?

Continue to provide the best solutions to everyone who enters the Courtroom.
Continue to be fair in my rulings.
Complete the backlog of Jury trials, put on hold during the pandemic.

Said she will continue making fair rulings and resolving disputes without prejudice.

Said she will make fair rulings and resolve disputes without prejudice.

- Said she will make fair rulings and resolve disputes without prejudice.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Judge Lucia Bates has proudly served and collaborated with a wide range of organizations, bringing leadership, advocacy, and commitment to every role:

Texas Education Curriculum for JP Judges Committee
Harris County Juvenile Probation Board
Goose Creek Digital Academy Advisory Board
HCA Southeast Board Trustee
Galena Park ISD Community Leadership Council
North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce (Nominating Committee)
North Shore Rotary (Membership Committee)
Top Ladies of Distinction
Baytown, Highlands, Crosby/Huffman Chamber of Commerce
Houston Bar Association Committee Member
Methodist Women’s Advisory Council
Greater Houston/Baytown Women's Chamber of Commerce/Advisory Board Member

Served on the Harris County Juvenile Probation Board.

Served on the Goose Creek Digital Academy Advisory Board.

Served as a trustee on the HCA Southeast board.

Served on the Galena Park Independent School District Community Leadership Council.

Served on the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce nominating committee.

Served on the North Shore Rotary membership committee.

Served with the Baytown, Highlands, Crosby/Huffman Chamber of Commerce.

Served on the Methodist Women’s Advisory Council.

Served on the Greater Houston/Baytown Women’s Chamber of Commerce advisory board.

- Served on the Harris County Juvenile Probation Board.
- Served on the Goose Creek Digital Academy Advisory Board.
- Served as a trustee on the HCA Southeast board.
- Served on the Galena Park Independent School District Community Leadership Council.
- Served on the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce nominating committee.
- Served on the North Shore Rotary membership committee.
- Served with Top Ladies of Distinction.
- Served with the Baytown, Highlands, Crosby/Huffman Chamber of Commerce.
- Served on the Methodist Women’s Advisory Council.
- Served on the Greater Houston/Baytown Women’s Chamber of Commerce advisory board.

Community Involvement

Facebook

Lucia Bates

Lucia Bates has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Christian University of Southern Indiana. She is married to her husband, Robert, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren together. Lucia has lived in East Harris County for 41 years.

Lucia is a realtor. She also serves as president of her homeowners association. 

Lucia is currently a Justice of the Peace for Harris County, Precinct 3, Place 2. She was first elected in 2018.

Received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Christian University of Southern Indiana.

Plans to engage with senior citizens, churches, youth groups, and various charitable organizations.

Believes in actively engaging with the community by working with senior citizens, churches, youth groups, and charitable organizations.

Lucia Bates has a bachelor 27s degree in business administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a master 27s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Christian University of Southern Indiana. She is married to her husband, Robert, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren together. Lucia has lived in East Harris County for 41 years. 

Lucia is a realtor. She also serves as the president of her homeowners association. 

Lucia is currently a Justice of the Peace for Harris County, Precinct 3, Place 2. She was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

Supports streamlining court access by offering both hybrid and in-person services.

Plans to continue enhancing safety measures for court staff and citizens.

Supports providing school supplies for families.

Supports prompt communication of important environmental information to constituents.

Believes in actively engaging with local organizations like churches and youth groups.

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

- 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.