Occupation: Retired lieutenant, Texas Department of Public Safety

Residence: Decatur

Party: Republican

Candidate Q&A: Bill Hogg

JP1 opening draws early interest - Wise County Messenger

Hogg, who was in attendance for Morrow’s retirement announcement to county commissioners, informed the Messenger of his campaign plans Monday. He served as a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in Wise County from 1989 to 1997.

JP1 opening draws early interest

He served as a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in Wise County from 1989 to 1997. Hogg was later promoted to aviation, working as a helicopter pilot for DPS in Waco and later as chief pilot for the Fort Worth Police Department before his retirement and return to Wise County around nine years ago.

Bill is a retired lieutenant with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He previously worked as a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, a helicopter pilot for the department, and chief pilot for the Fort Worth Police Department.

Bill Hogg will get a head start in the Wise County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace courtroom after his win in the March Republican primary. On Monday, Wise County Commissioners approved appointing the retired Texas Department of Public Safety trooper to serve the unexpired term of Jan Morrow, who retired at the end of 2025.

Hogg to start as JP 1 early after primary victory

Bill was appointed by Wise County Commissioners to serve the unexpired term as Justice of the Peace for Wise County Precinct 1.

Bill was appointed to serve as the Justice of the Peace for Wise County Precinct 1.

2026 Texas General Election

Hogg was sworn in at the Wise County Court Center in Decatur by County Judge J.D. Clark Monday afternoon. His first cases as JP 1 will come Tuesday.

Served as a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in Wise County from 1989 to 1997.

Retired as a lieutenant from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Began serving as Wise County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace after being sworn in by the county judge.

As a justice court judge, oversaw cases involving minor criminal offenses and low-value civil suits, administered oaths to public officials, handled requests for orders of protection against harassment, and performed marriage ceremonies.

- As a justice court judge, oversaw cases involving minor criminal offenses and low-value civil suits, administered oaths to public officials, handled requests for orders of protection against harassment, and performed marriage ceremonies.

Legal Experience

Regarding the supervision of employees working with the office of the Justice of the Peace, you lead them by example. You treat employees fairly and with respect. You observe Wise County Human Resource policies as established by county officials. You should not expect a subordinate to perform a part of the job that you would not be willing to do, as long as it is within law and policy.

You should not expect a subordinate to perform a part of the job that you would not be willing to do, as long as it is within law and policy. There must be fiscal responsibility and accountability while entrusted to process the fines and fees associated with this office.

Plans to lead Justice of the Peace office employees by example, treat them fairly and respectfully, and follow Wise County human-resources policies.

Calls for fiscal responsibility and accountability in processing fines and fees through the Justice of the Peace office.

- Plans to lead Justice of the Peace office employees by example, treat them fairly and respectfully, and follow Wise County human-resources policies.
- Calls for fiscal responsibility and accountability in processing fines and fees through the Justice of the Peace office.

Judicial Administration

What is the most pressing issue relevant to the office you are seeking, and how would you address it if elected? The most pressing issue is lawsuits involving debt collection. This area has required the most attention and expertise of the Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace in recent years. If elected, I will rely upon the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedures – Part V Rules 500-510 (especially Rule 508), chapter 41 and 42 of the Texas Property Code, section 392.307 of the Texas Finance Code combined with sound judgment and internal values rather than outside influences. These proceedings must be fair to the public yet conducted as dictated by Texas law.

Why are you running for this office, and what makes you qualified to serve Wise County in this role? This position offers an opportunity for continued public service, the appeal of a diverse range of legal responsibilities and involvement with the community while serving as a trusted public official. I have over 37 years of law enforcement experience that would be relevant to this position. I will apply integrity, professionalism, relevant experience, common sense, and leadership, if elected. My intent is to be firm but fair while being empathetic and open-minded.

You take care of your financial responsibilities and live within your means. Violating criminal laws is inexcusable. You preside from the bench and make rulings as guided by Texas laws, empathy, and common sense.

Plans to conduct debt-collection proceedings under Texas law, sound judgment, and internal values rather than outside influences.

Said judicial rulings should be guided by Texas law, empathy, common sense, and a firm but fair, open-minded approach.

- Plans to conduct debt-collection proceedings under Texas law, sound judgment, and internal values rather than outside influences.
- Said judicial rulings should be guided by Texas law, empathy, common sense, and a firm but fair, open-minded approach.

Judicial Philosophy

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

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Bill Hogg

- Said judicial rulings should be guided by Texas law, empathy, common sense, and a firm but fair, open-minded approach.

Bill is a Justice of the Peace. He works at the Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Court. He previously served as a state trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety, where he patrolled highways, enforced traffic laws, issued citations for Class C misdemeanors, and conducted accident investigations.

For Candidate Bill Hogg on Issue legal-experience:  
Has over 37 years of law enforcement experience relevant to the position.

Buket Urgen

Alejandra Gracias

- 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.