Riley Shaw has filed as a Republican for district judge of the 323rd Judicial District. Shaw is running against Alex Kim in the March 6 primary election.

Community Impact Newspaper sent Shaw a list of questions about his candidacy. Responses have been edited for length and style.

Why did you decide to run for this office?

While serving for the past 18 years in the Tarrant County district attorney's office, where I am currently deputy chief of the Criminal Division, I have dedicated my career to working with at-risk youth. I want to apply that experience to the office of district judge of the 323rd Judicial District Court, which is the only juvenile court in Tarrant County. I was encouraged to run because I have a strong reputation as a qualified attorney who would serve on the 323rd Judicial District Court bench with respect and dignity and in accordance with the law. My desire is to serve our community and make it better for each of us by keeping our families strong and our children healthy and safe.

What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position?

I am a long-time conservative, with a tough-on-crime reputation. I am one of only seven attorneys in Tarrant County who is Board Certified in juvenile law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. My experience and expertise led former Gov. Rick Perry to appoint me to the Texas Violent Gang Task Force, which targets dangerous gangs and drug cartels, and to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board, which focuses on our at-risk youth. I continue to work as a legal liaison for the task force under Gov. Greg Abbott. In addition, I was elected by attorneys and judges around the state as chairman of the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. I am a renowned legal scholar and have authored and edited articles on criminal and juvenile justice and legal texts used as a reference by attorneys and judges. I currently serve on the Exam Commission for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, where I help write and grade the TBLS Board Certification exam in juvenile law.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

My top priority for this bench is to serve the citizens of Tarrant County as a conservative judge, always upholding and applying the laws and constitutions of Texas and the United States—and to keep our community safe, our families strong and our children healthy.

What else do you want constituents to know about you and your background?

As a conservative prosecutor I am one of Tarrant County’s top assistant criminal district attorneys. For almost two decades, I’ve put violent criminals away to protect our families. Because of my stellar record and extensive experience, Criminal District Attorney Sharen Wilson has entrusted me with some of the highest profile juvenile and criminal cases in the county. With so much on the line, you can count on me to always follow the law and to deliver justice for the citizens of Tarrant County in all matters before the court.