Introduction

I appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself to my fellow Brazoria County residents, my name is Jon Albin. I am campaigning to become our next Brazoria County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 Place 2, which includes the cities of Alvin, Brookside Village, and Pearland.

The scope of responsibility for the Justice Court in Brazoria
County is more extensive than most people realize. The Justice Court hears cases involving traffic citations, small claims disputes with monetary amounts of up to $20,000, debt claims, ISD student truancy, and Texas driver license suspension hearings. Other responsibilities include investigations into the death of a person, (also referred to as inquest, since Brazoria County does not have a medical examiners office), authorizing emergency protective orders in family violence offenses, authorizing emergency detention orders for individuals in mental health crisis, and daily visits to city jails in the precinct to review arrest affidavits to determine if probable cause exists and the elements of a criminal offense are met based on State law. If affirmed, then the Justice of the Peace sets the bail amount for the criminal offense.

I have been a resident of Precinct 3 beginning in 2009. My wife Jessica and I have been married for 26 years. We have 3 children who are Pearland High School class of 2020, 2021 and 2026. Our pup Gracie is a ten year old lab who was a rescue at about 8 months.

I am guided by core values that were instilled in me as a United States Marine. These values are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. I carry these principles with me today as a police detective with over 29 years of experience in law enforcement and corrections. All of my 29 years of local service have occurred here within Brazoria County.

Bio

Jon is a December, 2000 graduate of the Alvin College Law Enforcement Academy, a Certified Texas Master Peace Officer with a degree in Criminal Justice and over 2000 hours of accredited training. I have worked alongside the Justice Court during my last 18 years as a Certified Crime Scene Detective at my current police agency. My courtroom experience and testimony in local, county, state and federal courts range from civil hearings, property ownership, traffic violations, crash investigations, aggravated assault, burglary, aggravated robbery and homicide.

Experiences and training over two decades as a law enforcement officer will coincide with responsibilities of the Justice of the Peace. These experiences include conflict resolution, impartiality, application of laws of the State, as well as the understanding of the importance of setting bail requirements for persons arrested by law enforcement.

My decision to become a candidate for Brazoria County Justice of the Peace was not one easily decided. After thoughtful consideration, mentoring, and discussions with my family, the decision was made to begin this next chapter.

For the last 33 years, I have been devoted to service of our Country as a United States Marine, to our State as a correctional officer at the Clemens Unit in Brazoria and locally as a Pearland Police Officer. I would very much appreciate to continue this legacy of service as your Brazoria County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3 Place 2.