Annual Municipal Courts Week set for November 7-11
MELISSA (October 13, 2022) The yearly celebration of Municipal Courts Week, set for Nov. 7-11, will include a month-long collection of canned and non-perishable food or hygiene products to benefit the Melissa Food Pantry, according to Municipal Court Judge David Moore.
Municipal Courts Week, celebrated statewide every November, recognizes the work of dedicated judges, clerks, court administrators, prosecutors, juvenile case managers, bailiffs, and warrant officers. The Melissa Municipal Court is located on the first floor of City Hall, 3411 Barker Ave.
All of the week’s activities and events are scheduled for either the lobby area of Municipal Court, located behind the City Hall staircase, or in the City Hall main lobby. In addition to the month-long food drive, which officially kicks off on Monday, Nov. 7, other events during the weeklong celebration include Free Coffee Bar and Donuts Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8; Cookies and Hot Chocolate Day on Wednesday, Nov. 9; Free Popcorn Day on Thursday, Nov. 10; and Impaired Drug/Impaired Driving Exhibit Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Donations to the Melissa Food Pantry drive can be dropped off in the distinctive collection box which will be placed in the main City Hall lobby. The self-service Coffee and Donuts on Tuesday, as well as the Cookies and Hot Chocolate on Wednesday will be located in the Municipal Court lobby area. Notably, Thursday’s Free Popcorn Day will be accompanied by traffic safety material on impaired driving.
On Friday, a display and activity designed to help drivers avoid Impaired/ Drug Impaired Driving will be unveiled, encouraging participants to keep the topic top-of-mind. An anti-impaired game will be featured, highlighting the importance of maintaining sobriety while driving.
The emphasis on driving safety during the recognition week reflects the court’s docket. Driving infractions, automobile accidents, and moving violations form the highest percentage of cases that come before the court.
“Municipal Courts Week is not only a great time to recognize Municipal Courts, but also a time to share with the public the important role that Municipal Courts play in the criminal justice system and making Texas roads safer,” said Judge Moore.
In addition to Judge Moore, the Melissa Municipal Courts staff includes Court Administrator Lorie Lambert, Court Clerk Brenda Haliburton, and Warrant Officer Michael Sandoval.
The office has consistently been recognized by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center’s Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives program. The staff has won a statewide award seven years in a row. That program recognizes those Municipal Courts that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to traffic safety and to eliminating impaired driving.