Melanie Miles

For Justice of the Peace – Precinct 7, Place 2

Restoring Fairness. Restoring Dignity. Returning the Court to the People.

Why I'm Running....

For Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Place 2.

Why This Election Matters

The Crisis in Precinct 7.2's Justice Court

In Precinct 7, Place 2, the hallways tell the story.
Every Tuesday, eviction cases are packed into two morning dockets—yet no legal aid is present, even though the County funds it.

This court chooses not to partner with those services, leaving families to face life-changing hearings alone.

The impact is stark: over 2,000 more eviction filings than the neighboring court, and hearings that last less than 90 seconds. When no help is available and cases are rushed, fairness disappears—and families pay the price.

90

Per Eviction Case - In Current  JP 7-2

seconds is about the average time allowed for eviction hearings at JP Court 7-2.

1.8%
Tenants With Legal Counsel

of tenants in Precinct 7-2 received attorney assistance.

2000
2000 More Eviction Filings

times more eviction filings in JP Court 7-2 than its neighboring court.

Why This Election Matters

What Justice Should Look Like

Across Harris County — also the other Precinct 7 court (Judge Wanda Adams) — families can access real support. Other JP courts offer on-site legal aid, mediators, and housing navigators who help with rental relief, utilities, and emergency funds that can prevent eviction.

Their resource rooms provide computers, printers, forms, guides, and virtual-court kiosks so self-represented people have the same access to justice as those with lawyers. Social service partners connect families to housing, jobs, and community programs.

These services work. They reduce evictions and prevent homelessness.

Precinct 7-2 has none of this. When I’m elected, I will bring these supports to the court on day one — because justice should lift people up, not push them out.

How the Current Court Fails Our Community

In JP Court 7-2 families are evicted without needed legal aid and housing assistance, fueling Houston's homelessness crisis.

According to JanuaryAdvisors.com, JP Court Precinct 7-2 has over 2,000 more eviction filings this year than JP Court 7-1 (Judge Adams). Landlords routinely file here because they know tenants won’t have access to legal aid—despite Commissioner's Court allocating $4 million for eviction assistance.

For years, this Court has stacked cases and rushed them through in less than two minutes. Families are denied the time, support, and due process they deserve. 

The Eviction Lab also shows that Precinct 7 contains 12 of the Top eviction hotspots in Harris County.

The Impact on Houston's Most Vulnerable

Housing Instability Too Often Starts in the Courtroom

When a JP Court fails to provide fair hearings and legal assistance, evictions skyrocket and homelessness deepens.

Show Up Every Day

I will work 8–5 as required and be present on the bench to hear every case.

Stop Stacking Cases

No more 95–150 cases in 2 hours—every party will have time to be heard fairly.

Provide Legal Resources

I will work with legal aid clinics, mediation services, and create a Legal Resource Room with computers and printed guides.

My Pledge To The Community

TOP 5 PRIORITIES

Wondering what my priorities will be once elected? 

Dive into my Top 5 Priorities for more details.

Bring essential legal aid and housing assistance directly into JP Court Precinct 7-2.Today, Precinct 7-2 is one of the few courts in the county without on-site services that help families facing eviction or financial hardship.
When elected, I will immediately work to provide:

On-site legal aid attorneys to advise tenants and landlords.
Housing navigators who can help secure rental relief, utility assistance, and emergency funds.
Mediators to help resolve disputes without a formal eviction judgment.
Resource rooms with computers, printers, forms, and virtual-court kiosks.
These supports already exist in JP Court 7-1 (Judge Adams) — and they work! JP Court 7-2 deserves the same.
Stop Stacking Cases, resulting in 90 second hearings.JP Court 7-2 has become an eviction hotspot, with 2000 more eviction filings than JP Court 7-1 (Judge Adams) — because landlords know litigants will receive no assistance and often will not be given time to be heard. 
My plan includes:

Ending rushed hearings and giving each case proper time.
Stopping “assembly-line” dockets that last only 1–2 minutes per case.
Ensuring due process and that every party understands their rights.
Using mediation and assistance programs to resolve issues before an eviction becomes necessary.
A court should not contribute to homelessness — it should help prevent it.
Create a community-focused court that treats every person with dignity and respect.Everyone who walks into the courthouse deserves to be heard. At no time should a judge yell or talk down to any person.
As Justice of the Peace, I will:

Set a tone of professionalism, compassion, and fairness.
Obtain staff training in trauma-informed and customer-service practices.
Build a court culture where people are not yelled at, rushed, or dismissed.
Ensure self-represented individuals have access to tools and clear guidance.
Respect is not optional — it’s the foundation of justice.
Increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency in court operations.Residents deserve a court that operates openly and effectively.
I will:

Publish clear court procedures and timelines.
Track eviction trends, case outcomes, and wait times.
Improve scheduling so litigants don’t wait hours to be heard.
Use technology to streamline filings and communication.
Establish a monthly Saturday Court Docket.
A more accountable court is a more trusted court.
Build strong partnerships to connect residents with resources that re-establish stability before their case is heard.Real solutions require collaboration.
I will partner with:

Nonprofits and faith-based organizations for rental support, food and utility assistance.
Workforce and job-readiness programs to help residents stabilize their income.
Schools and local community centers to support youth and families.
Harris County service providers to coordinate wraparound services.
Often eviction cases are preventable. Strong partnerships help keep families housed and communities stable.

Precinct 7 Voices

Hear What Actual Residents Are Saying

“My Property Dispute should have never been heard in JP Court 7-2. But this Judge would not allow me to speak. She ordered me to pay $5000 to tear down my own fence! I was not allowed to show my survey proving the fence was my property. I had to pay a lawyer and appeal to finally get justice." She does not follow the law!"

Failed to Follow the Law and Lack of Dignity Toward Parties

Senior Resident of Precinct 7

"My wife filed an eviction in this Court to put me out of our home. The judge would not allow me to talk. I was not a tenant!. I own half the house and the deed records show us both as owners. This judge would not look at anything. I had to move out of my own house and pay an appeal bond for the District Court Judge to say it is half my house and allow me to move back home. Judge Burney was wrong!"

Wrongful Eviction and Not Treated with Dignity

Lonnie B.

“A lot of decisions in this Court are done improper. I manage real estate and I have been in front of this Court many times. It is crazy but she often decides a case in 1 or 2 mintues. She doesn't allow both sides to speak. She rude, disrespectful and very condescending which is not how a judge should act. In this Court you have to walk on pins and needles because your afraid she will yell and scream at you. Everyone loved her mother, but she is NOT her mother!”

Not treated with Dignity and Failed to Follow the Law

Travis P.

I have seen firsthand how a responsive Justice Court can reduce evictions and keep families stable. Melanie is committed to bringing that model to Precinct 7-2.

Eviction Advocate

Kendra W.

Join the Movement for A Fair Justice of the Peace in Precinct 7, Place 2

Melanie Miles Campaign For Justice of the Peace Precinct 7, Place 2

Phone: (832) 400-6639

Email: info@milesforhouston.com

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Melanie Miles for Justice of the Peace 7-2

© 2025 Pd By Melanie Miles Campaign for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Place 2. All rights reserved.