Debbie Garrett
27th Judicial District Court
Biography
Debbie Garrett is the presiding judge of the 27th Judicial District Court in Bell County, Texas. She was elected in November 2024 and assumed the bench on January 2, 2025, succeeding Judge John T. Gauntt Sr. upon his retirement.
The 27th Judicial District Court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and civil matters in Bell County. Judge Garrett presides over a broad docket that includes serious felony offenses, civil litigation, and family law matters.
Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Garrett served as a prosecutor in the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained extensive trial experience handling felony criminal cases. Her background as a prosecutor has given her deep insight into both sides of the criminal justice system.
Judge Garrett is a graduate of Texas A&M University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Bell County Bar Association.
As a district judge, Garrett is responsible for ensuring fair proceedings, ruling on evidentiary matters, and imposing sentences in accordance with Texas law. She manages a high-volume felony docket and presides over jury trials, bench trials, and plea hearings.
Judge Garrett’s term expires December 31, 2028. As an elected Republican judge in a county that leans conservative, she is expected to be re-elected without significant opposition when her term comes up for renewal.
Credentials & Education
Education
- Texas A&M University School of Law (J.D.)
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
Professional Memberships
- Bell County Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas District & County Attorneys Association (former)
Professional History
Bell County District Attorney’s Office — Prosecutor Served as an assistant district attorney handling felony criminal prosecutions in Bell County. Gained extensive trial experience and knowledge of the local criminal justice system.
27th Judicial District Court — District Judge (January 2025 – Present) Elected in November 2024, took office January 2, 2025. Presides over felony criminal cases, civil litigation, and related matters in Bell County’s 27th Judicial District.
Record
Court case records and judicial statistics from the Odyssey case management system will be added here. This section will include docket analysis, case disposition trends, sentencing patterns, and other data-driven insights into Judge Garrett’s judicial record.
Debbie Garrett is the presiding judge of the 27th Judicial District Court in Bell County, Texas. She was elected in November 2024 and took office on January 2, 2025. Judge Garrett previously served as a prosecutor in the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University School of Law.