“All rise! The Williamson County YMCA Teen Court is back in session!”
Returning and new students ages 13-18 are invited to attend the September 7th Teen Court orientation for the 2019-2020 school year. Orientation will be conducted from 9:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. at the Twin Lakes YMCA (Cedar Park) under the supervision of professional attorneys, law enforcement personnel, YMCA staff and parent advisers.
Students in the Teen Court program learn courtroom procedure first hand, as well as study and assume the roles of juror, jury foreman, bailiff, clerk, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and judge.
These young men and women preside over sentencing and adjudication of real Class C Misdemeanor cases involving juvenile defendants 11-17 years of age. This hands-on training in law, the justice system, and civil government equips students with critical knowledge and skills to be more effective, lifelong servant-leaders in their communities.
What is servant leadership? Look no further than Leanderâs own Judge Edna Staudt for a living definition.
Her embodiment of Micah 6:8 is so compelling that today she was presented the prestigious Glenn Shepard Leadership Award, an honor bestowed upon one individual from a nationwide pool of over 1,000 nominees.
Court staff member Melissa East submitted Judge Staudtâs name for consideration by a select panel which thoroughly analyzes the credentials and achievements of each nominee. The results of their research and decision were manifest in a special ceremony this morning in the Williamson County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, courtroom in Cedar Park. Numerous friends, luminaries and dignitaries were on hand to witness Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony Moline present Judge Staudt the award and celebrate her well-deserved national recognition.
Melissa East nominated Judge Edna Staudt for the 2018 Glenn Shepard Leadership Award
Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tony Moline presents Judge Edna Staudt the 2018 Glenn Shepard Excellence in Leadership Award
Judge Staudt is highly respected and trusted by her staff, law enforcement, legal professionals and the community at large. She consistently leads by example in treating  her employees and public with dignity.  She is known for  firmly applying the law with fairness, upholding justice and public safety while demonstrating compassion for those in traumatic circumstances.
Whether adjudicating cases, issuing arrest warrants, handling death inquests or granting emergency protective orders, Judge Staudt conducts her office with professionalism and competency.
In addition to her regular duties as Justice of the Peace, Judge Staudt invests countless hours of her personal time directing mentoring programs, training student leaders through her nationally recognized Teen Court program, advocating protection of the unborn, and teaching teens the value of making wise, life-saving choices. She is also a strong voice against ill-conceived, unjust laws, testifying before the Texas Legislature on the unintended consequences of misguided legislation.
Residents in Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill and northwest Austin can take credit for choosing Judge Staudt to serve them and fellow Texans statewide for the past 22 years.
Judge Edna Staudt is a true role model for servant-leadership. The 2018 Glenn Shepard Excellence in Leadership Award is but one more well-deserved confirmation of that fact.
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Glenn Shepard  is the best-selling author of six books, 13 DVD programs, and 658 published articles. His seminars are now the #1 rated management and front-line supervisory training in America and have been hosted by nearly 400 colleges and chambers of commerce.
He is the author of six books, including How to Make Performance Evaluations Really Work and his #1 Best Seller, How to Be the Employee Your Company Can’t Live Without.
Judge Staudt volunteers every year with the Shattered Dreams Program. This program consists of a real life presentation of an accident caused by drunk driving. It is a combined effort of the law enforcement, fire department, Starflight, funeral home, hospital staff, tow truck company, school personnel, students, and court.
âEvery effort is made to make this presentation life-like in hopes students will realize the consequences of driving under the influence, or riding with someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugsâ said Judge Staudt.
Judge Staudt not only appears on the scene, but magistrates the driver in the courtroom, admonishing him/her of the seriousness of the offenses. At the end of the day she meets with the student volunteers who assisted in putting on the program. This debriefing allows her to answer questions and educate students on the law and very real consequences when the law is offended.
âThis is another opportunity to teach young people how valuable they are and how one decision can affect so many livesâ.
“I was a student in the courtroom of Judge Edna Staudt’s Teen Court for three years. During that time, I experienced what it was like to be a juror, bailiff, defense attorney, and prosecuting attorney.
Judge Staudt has a passion to teach the next generation of leaders about the inner workings of the American judicial system. My own understanding of what goes on behind the scenes in the courtroom was greatly expanded due to her training.”
You likely know a fellow Texan whose drivers license has been suspended by the egregious and unjust Texas Driver Responsibility Program (TDRP).
Never heard of it? If you drive, or depend on someone who does, you need to learn about it.
Over 1.3 million Texans have had their drivers license suspended, and not necessarily due to being irresponsible. They pled guilty or no contest to traffic violations, paid their fines, and moved on, rightfully believing that was the end of the matter.
Until they are later detained for another violation, possibly a minor infraction like a defective brake light or failure to signal. They then find themselves in shock at being handcuffed, arrested and taken to jail, totally unaware their license had been suspended for failure to pay an unknown delinquent surcharge on the previous violation.
Collection notices for the surcharges may not have caught up with them if they had changed addresses or the notices had been designed to resemble junk mail.
This scenario has been playing out for over 14 years and it is time for Texans to repeal the legislation responsible for  this travesty against fellow Texans.
Judge Edna Staudt has long been a voice calling out in the wilderness for the Texas legislature to take action. She has seen firsthand the devastation this misguided program has had on families and individuals, especially those with limited or no resources to fight the system.
“Citizens who lose their mode of transportation because of delinquent surcharges lose their jobs, Â sometimes their homes and face immeasurable obstacles to take care of themselves and their family.”
Judge Edna Staudt
ââItâs taking money from people who are not criminals,â Staudt said. âThen they keep on driving because they have to feed their family, they have to get to work, they have to get around.â â
âJustice of the Peace Edna Staudt of Williamson County, in Central Texas, said she also deals with many frustrated Texans who are affected by the program.
âStaudt said she believes the program is unconstitutional because it penalizes drivers twice for the same violation.
ââIf you get a DWI, you go to jail, pay the fine. If you canât afford to pay, you can do community service hours. The surcharge is an additional punishment,â Staudt said.â
Join Judge Staudt in continuing the fight to repeal this misguided program. Leave a comment below so you can be reached with more information on how you can make a difference.
“Teen Court was a chance for me to make a real and appreciable difference in my community. The program gave me first-hand experience in the justice system I could not have found anywhere else. With that in mind, it goes without saying that without Judge Staudt’s guidance, experience, and expertise, I never would have realized the opportunity to be involved in a program which has, to this day, changed my life for the better.” Â Alan Adams, Former Teen Court Student Volunteer
Alan Adams Former Student Attorney & Presiding Judge
“As a legal professional, I am incredibly honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to know and to work with Judge Edna Staudt for many years. Professionals
“The legal community respects Judge Staudt. Not only is she fair, attentive, and compassionate in the courtroom, her positive influence permeates our community beyond the courtroom doors. She selflessly and tirelessly promotes mentoring and parenting programs, coaches teen leadership development, prepares young men and women to be responsible adults, fights for constitutional rights of ordinary citizens, and speaks for those who have no voice.
“Judge Staudt is a conservative Christian motivated to put her faith into action by serving the members of her community.
“I regard Judge Staudt as an invaluable member of our judiciary.”
“Judge Staudt provides an amazing asset to the community through YMCA Teen Court. I was personally impacted by her demonstration that we all have a role (and responsibility) to facilitate justice right where we live. Her example inspired me to pursue a career in public service through the military.” Â – Luke Adams, Former Student Presiding Judge
