Mitch Templeton - 172nd District Judge, Jefferson County

06/24/2026

We tried a strongly contested criminal trial, to a “not guilty” verdict this week. It involved severe injuries to an infant. I could not be more proud of the jurors and lawyers for the state and defense. They carry a tremendous burden when they handle these cases. I am also glad this part of the ordeal is over for the family involved.

05/25/2026

During TR’s lifetime, the day we currently call “Memorial Day” was known as “Decoration Day.”
“Decoration Day” was renamed “Memorial Day” in 1967.
TR had this to say about songs sung on Decoration Day.

“Recently…popularity has been achieved by a song entitled “I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be a Soldier” — a song which ought always to be sung with a companion piece entitled “I Didn’t Raise My Girl To Be a Mother.” The two would stand on precisely the same moral level….This hymn, in condemnation of courage, has been sung in music halls, and even in schools, with applause….

Those who applaud such a song are wholly out of place at any patriotic celebration on Decoration Day or the Fourth of July; and most assuredly men of this abject type will be easily affected by terrorism.”
—Theodore Roosevelt

05/15/2026

We had a busy week in trial, with excellent lawyers on both sides of a hotly contested case. Great work by true professionals. The jury was attentive and reached a relatively quick decision. Thankful for their service.

05/06/2026

I received a visit today from Veritas Academy graduate and standout mock trial competitor Benjamin Willis. He’s now a Junior at Texas A&M studying interdisciplinary engineering with an emphasis on automotive engineering. He’s aced the most difficult prerequisites and is well on his way to becoming a professional engineer. (He’s also apparently officially allowed to “whoop” or something). Outstanding Benjamin! Thank you for stopping by.

04/26/2026

“Wise legislation and upright administration can undoubtedly work very great good to a community, and, above all, can give to each individual the chance to do the best work for himself. But ultimately the individual’s own faculties must form the chief factor in working out his own salvation. In the last analysis it is the thrift, energy, self-mastery, and business intelligence of each man which have most to do with deciding whether he rises or falls.” - T.R. (1903)

04/09/2026

https://apple.news/AbHRPlW3iThCP88e5STuTAA

Production in West Texas has helped the U.S. stabilize its demand for foreign oil amid the Iran war, despite drilling fewer oil wells.

04/08/2026

“The right to say wise things necessarily implies the right to say foolish things. The answer to foolish speech is wise speech and not force. The Republic is founded upon the faith that if the American people are permitted freely to hear foolish and wise speech, a majority will choose the wise. If that faith is not justified the Republic is based on sand. John Milton said it all in his defense of freedom of the press: ‘Let truth and error grapple. Who ever knew truth to be beaten in a fair fight?’” -T.R.

04/06/2026

During his 1903 swing through the West, TR SAID:
“No law that ever was devised can give wisdom to the fool, courage to the coward, strength to the weakling....” “...the average man shall have certain fundamental qualities that come under many different heads, but under three especially......that he shall have at the foundation of his character the moral forces, the forces that make a man a good husband, a good father, a good neighbor...”