Filing for Office with Over 500 Signatures

As candidate for Justice of the Peace Edna Staudt is required to either pay a $1000 filing fee or submit a petition with 500 signatures.   After months of soliciting signatures, meeting new people, and acquiring new friends, she obtained well over the 500 required signatures!   Edna Staudt has officially filed for re-election with the petition in lieu of paying the filing fee.  In every campaign since 1994 Staudt has met the requirement to obtain more than the required number of supportive signatures.  She is tremendously grateful for supporters, their dedication, and their prayers.  She desires to continue to serve the people of Williamson County and the State of Texas and looks forwards to your vote in March and again in November 2014!

The enVision Conference: Developing the Next Generation for Greatness

The enVision Conference incorporates a diverse group of speakers, workshops, & resources that educate young adults from all ethnicities, ranging from ages 18-29. The input focuses on how traditional values relate to this generation achieving success.  It will provide an environment for networking and building relationships. Young people will leave inspired to reach their potential, connected with individuals who will encourage and help in their endeavors, equipped with information to plan for their future and challenged to take their dreams and plans and put them into action.

I was a speaker at The enVision Conference 2012. Young adults serious about their future or their career options should plan to attend this one day seminar in San Antonio. It might change your life!  The conference will provide training for our future leaders.  I encourage you to get young people to San Antonio for this one day event on September 28, 2013. You may also visit the website for additional information, testimonies, and costs: www.theenvisionconference.com.

Speaker
The enVision Conference 2012-Education & Career Options Panel

Do you know you have an Invalid License?

The Texas Driver Responsibility Program went into effect in 2003 yet many are still not aware of this Program and more specifically how it will affect them.  The program is also referred to as the Point System, however, there are charges over and above what are assessed by points.

 

For instance, upon paying a citation for an offense of “No Liability Insurance”, you will not only be charged a fine and fee by the respective court, but the court will then send notice to DPS you have a conviction of “No Liability Insurance”.   DPS will immediately send notice to you at the address they have for your license that a surcharge is now due to them of $250.00 and you must pay an additional $250.00 each year for the next two years, totaling $750.00.  It at any time this fee is past due your license is marked as “Invalid”.

 

This invalid status is another offense and if stopped by a law enforcement officer you will receive a citation for “Driving While License Invalid”, which will incur a fine and fee from the respective court (up to $500)  and when the court reports this conviction to DPS they will send notice that you owe $250.00 now and another $250.00 each year for two years.  Upon a 2nd charge of DWLI you will be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor and jailed.  This same scenario happens upon the conviction of “fail to secure child in safety seat” and “no driver’s license”.  It is the law and it is imperative DPS have your current address.

Judge Edna Staudt
Williamson County Precinct 2
Justice of the Peace

Volunteers Serving Citizens in Crisis

Volunteers with the Cedar Park Police Department Victim Services Division are required to participate in 30 hours of training on subjects as homicide, suicides, family violence and more. These volunteers are on call to respond to a crisis situation and provide emotional and tangible support to the victims.

 

Recently Judge Edna Staudt spoke to the volunteers providing training on the role of the Justice of the Peace when an unexpected death occurs. They were surprised to know her duties included signing the death certificate and ordering an autopsy. She has a county budget for autopsies to cover any that are ordered. In addition to being an investigator, Judge Staudt is responsible to determine and certify the cause and manner of death. The local law enforcement is to be notified first whenever there is an unexpected death. As the JP is the chief investigator, the victim cannot be moved until the JP authorizes them to be moved. It is the responsibility of the JP to determine whether there should be a criminal investigation or whether the death is natural. To make a final determination of the cause and manner of death, law enforcement investigators and the JP work together. If necessary the JP issues subpoenas for additional information and may hold a formal hearing.

 

A death scene investigation can get very busy with officers providing safety and information, detectives, crime lab technicians, family members or friends, medical emergency personnel, firemen, and the Justice of the Peace. The victim service volunteers provide emotional and tangible support to those on scene. Their duties include everything from assisting with notification of family members, providing emotional support, to entertaining a small child during the crisis to provide a calm distraction. These volunteers follow up with the friends and family of the victim to provide additional information and assistance.

 

Before the Division was created and these volunteers did not exist, Judge Staudt’s role as JP also included the role of victim assistance. Her most memorable moment was trying to comfort two crying babies as she held them on each hip while a distraught mother attempted to gain control of her emotions at the scene where her mother had passed away. Even though Judge Staudt is sensitive to the needs of the friends and family on scene and to provide as much support as she possibly can, she is very grateful for the sacrificial service of these volunteers. They provide an invaluable to the citizens of Cedar Park and the Police Department.

Victim Services is a part of the Cedar Park Police Department Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Individuals interested in serving the Cedar Park community as a Victim Services Volunteer can contact Mirna Fuentes, Victim Services Coordinator at (512) 260-4656 for further information

Victim services volunteers

Volunteers are essential in crisis situations