About Jennifer Bassett, candidate for Judge 364th Dist. Court - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

About Jennifer Bassett, candidate for Judge 364th Dist. Court

Biography

It was the fall of 1989 when Jennifer Bassett moved to Lubbock to pursue her dream of higher education at the Texas Tech School of Law. Jennifer completed her law degree in just two and a half years, graduating in 1991 in the top third of her class.

Having a passion for serving the citizens of Lubbock County, she knew that becoming a prosecutor in the Lubbock County District Attorney's office was where she would be most effective. During her 14-year tenure, Ms. Bassett has served under three District Attorneys including Judge Bill Sowder and current DA, Matt Powell.

A diligent and tenacious prosecutor, Jennifer has tried almost 200 cases with a conviction rate of 97%. Specializing in high profile child abuse and sexual offense cases, she has seen juries return 40 life sentences on cases she prosecuted resulting in a safer community for Lubbock families. Her experience ranges from misdemeanors to felonies in a broad array of trials including death penalty cases, murder cases and habitual offenders. In addition, Jennifer's expertise has been sought to serve as a special prosecutor outside of Lubbock County. From 1997-2001, she broadened her experience in civil and appellate law in the federal court of Northern District of the 5th Circuit, in the Seventh Court of Appeals and the 5th Circuit Appellate Court. Since obtaining her law degree, she has been admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas, 5th Circuit; Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Married to the love of her life, Roy Bassett for 14 years, the two have four precious children: Matt, age 23, Troy, age 19, Meranda, age 13, and Callie, age 10. They have been blessed to raise their family in Lubbock. The two youngest daughters attend Murfee Elementary School and Evans Middle School and both are very involved in their church group. Roy has served as a Lubbock Police officer for almost 23 years. Working as a detective in Juvenile Crimes, he also served as a supervisor in Internal Affairs and Patrol and as the Public Information Officer for the LPD. He has promoted within the department to Lieutenant and currently serves in the Narcotics Unit.

For 14 years, the Bassetts have been active members of their local church, leading their Explorers Sunday School class. Jennifer also taught multiple Adult, Youth and Children Sunday School classes and bible studies. Additionally, she stepped up to serve on numerous committees within the church and participated in the hand-bell choir and Sanctuary choir. Jennifer is a proud member of the National Charity League, Lubbock Area Republican Women and sits on the Business Committee for the Lubbock Women's Club.

A sought after public speaker, Ms. Bassett has spoken at law enforcement seminars at the Lubbock Sheriff's Office, the Lubbock Police Department, and the Lubbock Rape Crisis Center. She has also spoken at the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner's training and the Children's Advocacy Center. For the past five years she has been a dedicated instructor of new cadets at the Lubbock Police Academy.

On November 10, 2009, Jennifer announced her candidacy for the 364th District Court Judge here in Lubbock County. Her 14 years of experience making Lubbock a safer place for families by successfully prosecuting sex offenders and child abusers has given her a passion to serve in this new capacity. She has a strong record of fighting hard for the people in this community and believes in returning the focus of the bench to serving the citizens of Lubbock County.

Working daily with people who are in the criminal justice system and citizens who have been harmed by criminal defendants, Jennifer knows the value of a justice system that is hard working, clears cases off the docket in a timely manner and is a wise steward of taxpayer resources. Ms. Bassett has fought for the hard working families of Lubbock County for 14 years now and she will tenaciously run a tight ship in the 364th District Court. If elected, Jennifer would be the first female district judge in Lubbock in over 30 years, and the first in the history of the 364th Court. Lubbock County deserves to have a judge with a diligent and proven work ethic that will work as hard for the citizens from the bench as she has from the District Attorney's office.

EXPERIENCE

2001-present Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney, Lubbock, Texas

  • Assistant Criminal District Attorney
    Felony Prosecutor, Chief Special Crimes/Habitual Offender, Chief
    137th District Court - Concentration: Felony prosecutions of over 120 jury trials, all felony crimes including capital murder, murder, possession of child pornography, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, indecency with a child, injury to a child, aggravated assault, drug cases, appointed as special prosecutor in surrounding counties and habitual offender cases. Supervised and trained felony prosecutors.

1997-2001 City Attorney, Lubbock, Texas

  • Assistant Trial Attorney - Concentration: Civil rights litigation, employment and labor litigation, personal injury defense, wrongful death defense, eminent domain and zoning law, civil service litigation, commercial litigation and appellate practice in federal and state courts.

1992 - 1997 Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney, Lubbock, Texas

  • Assistant Criminal District Attorney
    Felony prosecutor, 99th District Court. - Concentration: Felony prosecution of over 80 jury trials, including such crimes as murder, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated crimes and drug cases. Prosecuted jury trials in all District and County Courts of Lubbock County.

EDUCATION

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence, December 1991
    Texas Tech University School of Law
    Graduated top one-third of class
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and History, 1989
    University of Texas at Arlington
    Dean's List

ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar or Texas, May 1992
  • Northern District of Texas, 5th Circuit, 1993
  • Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1998
  • United States Supreme Court, 2001

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Speaker at numerous law enforcement seminars
  • Course instructor for Lubbock Police Academy
  • Adult and Children's Sunday School teacher
  • Member of various church committees
  • Leader of Adult Bible Study
  • Instructor for SANE program
  • Member, Lubbock County Bar Association
  • Member, Texas District and County Attorney's Association
  • Member, Lubbock Area Republican Women
  • Member, Business Committee Lubbock Women's Club
  • Member, National Charity League

Lubbock Professional Police Association Endorses Jennifer Bassett for 364th District Court Judge

LUBBOCK, TX—Respected local prosecutor and candidate for 364th District Court Judge, Jennifer Bassett, picked up a nice endorsement over the weekend from the Lubbock Professional Police Association.

"We endorsed Jennifer Bassett in this race because we know her diligent work ethic will benefit the citizens of Lubbock County," said LPPA President Brandon Price.

"Jennifer has the experience and leadership skills necessary to be a great Judge, and we are pleased to support her candidacy."

Ms. Bassett was honored by the news. "Over the years I have worked closely with the fine people in the police department. I have the utmost respect for the officers of the law and am very humbled that they endorsed me as the next Judge of the 364th District Court." Bassett added, "LPPA understands that I will work tirelessly to ensure that worthy warrants are issued in a timely manner and that all citizens receive fair and equal treatment under the law."

If elected, Bassett would be the first female to serve as Judge in the 364th District Court, and only the second female District Court Judge in Lubbock County history.

Jennifer Bassett
3308 – 45th Street
Lubbock, TX 79413
(806) 773-3679
(806) 796-1922
jenniferjbassett@gmail.com