Lesli Fitzpatrick

Education

Fitzpatrick earned her B.A. from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 1994. She later earned her M.A. from Baylor University, and her J.D. from the South Texas College of Law.[1]

Career

Fitzpatrick is a private practice attorney. She previously worked for 15 years as an assistant county attorney with the Ector County Attorney's Office.[1]

Lesli Fitzpatrick did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Fitzpatrick's campaign website stated the following:

Lesli's Judicial Philosophy

As your candidate for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3, I believe firmly in a conservative judicial philosophy that is rooted to the Constitution, respect for the rule of law, and judicial restraint. The role of a judge is not to make law, but to apply it as written and intended by the people and their elected representatives.

In criminal cases, this means upholding the rights guaranteed to both victims and defendants, interpreting statutes according to their plain meaning, and respecting lawful decisions made by juries and trial courts unless clear legal error demands correction. I reject judicial activism and believe courts should not expand or invent rights beyond those clearly established in the Constitution or statute.

Public safety, due process, and equal justice under the law must guide our work. I am committed to ensuring fair, consistent, and principled decisions that reflect the limited and impartial role of the judiciary in our constitutional system.

[5]

—Lesli Fitzpatrick's campaign website (2026)[6]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Please visit my website at www.lesliforjustice.com

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Will follow the rule of law.Will follow the Constitution.Will not legislate from the bench.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a potential jurist I am passionate about Lady Justice being blind.

Fitzpatrick participated in [the profile publisher]'s 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies her to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:

My legal credentials match exactly with what this court currently hears. This court is a predominately criminal law court. Fifty percent of misdemeanors filed in Williamson County are heard by this court. I have been both a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer. Therefore, I will have a balanced perception of criminal matters heard by this court. This court also hears half of the civil matters filed in the County Courts. Having served as the Civil Litigation Coordinator and handling civil matters in my private practices has given me the experience necessary to preside over this docket. This court recently acquired the Involuntary Mental Health Commitment docket. As I stated earlier, I have represented these clients for over two years and I am very familiar with mental health law. I have had over four years of annual training put on by the Texas Center for the Judiciary and the Texas Association of Drug Court Professionals as the Evaluator for the DWI/Drug Court team. It will be an easy transition from attorney to judge. I will be ready on day one to assume the role of judge.[7][5]

When asked why she was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:

I believe that this is my job. All of my experience both professionally and personally have prepared me for this position. I have a passion for the specialty courts and the mental health docket. This court is about saving lives. I stood in front of a judge as a youthful 21 year old. That was a wake up call for me. I took that bull by the horns and I have never looked back even to the point of going to law school and having a successful legal career. I want to help people. I want to be the people's attorney of Williamson County.[7][5]

When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who she admires, the candidate made the following statement:

William Rehnquist is probably my favorite. Justice Rehnquist favored a conception of federalism that emphasized the Tenth Amendment's reservation of powers to the states. He and I have the same judicial philosophy.[7][5]

When asked about her primary concern regarding today's judicial system in her state, the candidate made the following statement:

I think we can make more improvements in the Criminal Justice System and we need to take a hard look at the Mental Health crisis in our State and the United States.[7][5]