Judge Gregory Sees Reforms Paying Off at 90th District Court

When District Judge Phillip Gregory was sworn in on October 25, 2023, he promised to bring greater efficiency and fairness to the 90th Judicial District, which serves Young and Stephens Counties. Two years later, he says those reforms are taking root—reducing delays, improving attorney participation, and setting clearer expectations in family law cases.

Judge Gregory, who served previously as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, said his overarching goal remains the same: “to make the process as efficient as humanly possible” while ensuring that every litigant still has a fair day in court.

One of his first initiatives was addressing long-standing problems with indigent defense. For years, Young County paid court-appointed lawyers far less than surrounding jurisdictions, discouraging attorneys from taking cases. Many of those who did accept appointments would later drop them, citing the lengthy commute from the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Judge Gregory said the improved compensation schedule has begun to shift that culture.

“I got a few [attorneys] to come to Young County and got some to stick around who were leaving,” Judge Gregory said in a recent interview. The problems “has eased, and lawyers are showing up on time.”

Combined with greater use of remote-conferencing technology— which allows attorneys to meet with jailed clients via video rather than drive several hours for a short meeting—Judge Gregory believes the district has become more accessible and appealing for defense counsel.

He also points to success with the Children’s Bill of Rights, which he added to standing orders in family law cases shortly after taking office. The measure sets behavioral standards for parents engaged in custody disputes, ensuring that children are shielded from adult conflict as much as possible.

“The lawyers immediately tell their clients, ‘You need to behave,’” Judge Gregory said. “It’s had good reception with attorneys.”

Because the bill of rights is enforceable, Judge Gregory said, parents who violate it can face fines or contempt of court. The result, he noted, has been fewer flareups in his courtroom and a smoother-moving family law docket.

When Judge Gregory took the bench, he inherited a stack of lingering criminal cases from his tenure as assistant district attorney—files he could not preside over due to conflicts of interest. Those cases were temporarily reassigned to his predecessor Judge Stephen Bristow or to visiting judges, but clearing them still required administrative attention.

Two years in, Judge Gregory said progress is visible. “The stack of open cases is getting smaller,” he said.

At the same time, he has begun adjudicating motions to contest sentences brought by probationers who violate their terms. He also sees the impact of his court’s stability reaching beyond Young and Stephens Counties. He pointed to the elevation of former District Clerk Jamie Land to a senior administrative position with the Texas Supreme Court as a reflection of the district’s growing reputation.

“I’d like to think it garnered some attention,” he said of the reforms and Land’s promotion. Gregory appointed Stacey Mallory to serve out Land’s unexpired term.