TEMPLE, Texas. GFA LAW, PLLC has filed an amended petition in its lawsuit against the City of Trinidad on behalf of Municipal Judge Shellena Bivens.
As we have said from the start, the story here is simple. The Council wanted Judge Bivens gone. It knew that a sitting municipal judge holds a fixed term and cannot be removed without cause, so it went looking for a reason. The one it chose was that Judge Bivens had done her job and ruled on a case before her, a reason that one of the Council's own members admitted, under oath, she could not even say was misconduct under the law. The Council then removed Judge Bivens with no notice, no charges, and no hearing. The petition alleges that this denied her due process and violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Judge Bivens is seeking all available remedies, including punitive damages against the responsible officials. A judge who can be removed for how she rules is no protection to anyone who comes before her court. The people of Trinidad deserve better, and we intend to prove this case in court.
Press releases reflect the statements of GFA LAW, PLLC as of the date of each release. Allegations in pending cases have not been proven in court. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Media inquiries: press@gfalaw.us.