Convenient • Compassionate • Community-Centered
Justice of the Peace Dolores Lozano is running for re-election to keep putting our community first.
I first ran for Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 because our community needed something different. For over 35 years, this court hadn’t changed leadership, even as East Harris County struggled with rising evictions, limited access to services, and a school-to-prison pipeline harming our youth. I knew we could do better – we needed a judge who listens and puts people first.
In my first term, we’ve started to change the game. We brought eviction intervention right into the courtroom, connected families to resources, and made sure no one feels unheard. I’ve seen students get back on track instead of being punished, tenants get a fair shot to stay in their homes, and neighbors finally receive help in their language. No student should feel silenced at school. No family should feel an eviction is inevitable because a judge “just wouldn’t listen.” No one should walk into court afraid because they don’t speak English – en mi corte, sí se habla español. We’ve proven that a Justice of the Peace can deliver justice with compassion.
I’m running for re-election to continue this progress. It’s time to build on what we started – reinvest in our youth, strengthen community resilience, and keep bringing humanity back into the courtroom. We’ve made great strides, but there’s more work ahead to ensure everyone in our community gets fair and compassionate treatment. Together, we can keep Precinct 2, Place 2 moving forward and make this court a model of community-centered justice.
Judge Dolores Lozano made history in 2022 as the first woman and first Latina elected to serve as Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, Place 2. Since taking office in January 2023, she has presided over a diverse docket—including evictions, small claims, traffic violations, and truancy cases—while championing a court that is compassionate, community-centered, and accessible to all.
PRIORITIES
Judge Dolores Lozano believes justice should be fair, accessible, and rooted in the real needs of our community. Her priorities reflect a commitment to neighborhood safety, opportunity for youth, housing stability, and support for working families and small businesses. Here's where she’s focused:
Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods
Education & Youth Opportunity
Housing Stability & Fair Evictions
Modern, Accessible Justice
Supporting Small Businesses
ABOUT THE COURT
What is a Justice of the Peace? It’s often called “the people’s court.” A Justice of the Peace (JP) is the most local level of judge in Texas, handling the issues everyday folks encounter. This court was created to keep the peace in our communities by resolving minor disputes quickly and fairly, close to home.
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 serves the heart of East Harris County – including neighborhoods like Pasadena, Deer Park, Galena Park, Jacinto City, and surrounding areas. If you live or work in these communities, Judge Lozano’s court is here for you.
What does our JP court handle? A little bit of everything that impacts daily life:
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Traffic Tickets (Class C misdemeanors): We handle citations and help keep our roads safe, while working with drivers to resolve tickets with fairness.
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Small Claims: Disputes up to $20,000 between individuals or businesses – from unpaid invoices to property damage. We provide a venue to settle these matters without costly legal battles.
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Evictions: Landlord-tenant cases, including evictions. Our court strives to mediate and connect parties to resources (like rental assistance) to avoid displacement when possible, always ensuring the law is followed.
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Truancy: Cases involving students missing school. Judge Lozano treats these as opportunities to get kids back in class through supportive interventions, not punishments.
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Bad Check Disputes: Issues with bounced checks or payment disputes, helping businesses and individuals resolve them.
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Public Nuisance Cases: Matters like junk properties, noise complaints, or neighborhood issues that need a fair solution to keep our community livable.
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Writs and Orders: The JP can issue writs (court orders) for things like property seizures, evictions, or repair and remedy orders to fix unsafe conditions.
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Other Minor Offenses: Class C misdemeanors (the least serious offenses) such as simple assaults, leash law violations, and more.
In addition to these duties, our Justice of the Peace can even officiate weddings and always aims to be a helpful resource for the community. Judge Lozano has made it her mission to transform this court into more than just a place you go when you’re in trouble – it’s now a hub for solutions and support. Whether you’re facing a legal issue or just need information, we’re here to help in a friendly, approachable way.