COLORADO/ LAVACA COUNTY — Columbus resident Leonard Peters, an attorney and the Columbus municipal judge, has been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as the first district court judge for the newly created 492nd Judicial District Court. Peters’ appointment is effective Sept. 1.
Peters, a Columbus native, went to Columbus High School and became a law enforcement officer in Colorado County. He later obtained his law degree through the University of Houston system and graduated Magna Cum Laude in his major and Summa Cum Laude in his minor.
After working for a couple of years in the Houston legal system, he came home to Columbus and opened his law practice, which he has run for over 25 years.
In 2003, he was selected to be the Columbus municipal judge. Peters is a family man with high Christian values and is involved in the community.
The 492nd Judicial District Court was created through Texas House Bill 16 to divide the Second 25th Judicial District Court, which encompassed four counties: Colorado, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Lavaca.
The Second 25th Judicial District Court was massive, and the caseload was growing to the point where civil cases were often delayed because criminal cases were considered a priority. The district court, both criminal and civil in nature, handles felony criminal cases, jury trials, big money lawsuits, divorce, child custody cases, adoptions, and youth crimes.
“The smaller district, now with a dedicated district judge to focus on Colorado and Lavaca County, gives more trial dates, better scheduling and makes the judge more readily available,” said Peters.
Peters' strong law enforcement background, Christian values, and years of experience on both sides of the legal system placed him high on the list. He was aggressively vetted by the Office of the Texas Governor Appointments Division, which helps the governor select Texans to serve in official capacities.
Peters appointment runs to Dec. 31, 2028. The position is elected, and citizens will have the opportunity to vote for Peters in 2028. The created position must first be filled by the governor.
Peters, guided by his strong values, believes it is his responsibility to leave a legal mark on the newly established district judgeship, viewing it as a blank canvas. He credits his mother as the true artist of the painting style but still aims to preserve specific traits in his approach.
One thing he wants is for the court, in his words, to be “a rural court with a rural court system and maintain a rural character.”
“Without the law you have anarchy,” says Peters. “No one is above the law. Not even me.” He says he will apply the law fairly and impartially. He realizes he will be under the microscope and pledges transparency. He has dedicated his life to the law and realizes this will be a work in progress as he takes on a caseload while being accessible.
Peters will retire from his private law practice because of the Canon of Judicial Ethics as he steps into his new role as district judge of the 492nd Judicial District Court. However, he is leaving his practice in very capable hands. His son, Michael Peters, has been his law partner in Peters and Peters for 10 years.
Columbus Mayor LoriAnn Gobert said Michael Peters will take over as Columbus municipal judge once Leonard Peters officially resigns. Michael Peters has been the associate municipal judge for Columbus. Gobert emphasizes that this will provide continuity in the position.
