OHMYGAWD, ROB SWANTON HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO REPLACE DAVID HODGES AT THE COUNTY IN THE SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS, DRUGS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND ALCOHOLISM.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
How did they appoint a wonderful, smiling, well liked, respected man I think the world of, also his brother, and his entire family.
This is such great news, look at him with that smile. I like smiling people at the Courthouse.
They did something that I, and I feel sure everyone else thinks is just the best move ever.
Congratulations, this is great news.
Wonderful!!
H and B
This lovely person is Rob Swanton, the best news so far this year!! Wonderful
Published: Jan. 24, 2024 at 4:13 PM CST|Updated: 1 hour ago
WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Longtime Waco attorney Rob Swanton had been retired all of two weeks when the McLennan County Board of Judges tapped him to replace the retiring Judge David Hodges and to preside over the county’s three specialty court programs.
Swanton, 64, is set to begin his new role March 1 and will oversee the Mental Health Treatment Court, the DWI/Drug Treatment Court and the Veterans Treatment Court.
Hodges, who served as a McLennan County Court-at-Law judge for 20 years, announced his retirement Wednesday as associate judge over the county’s Mental Health Treatment Court. He has waged a two-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“I am thrilled the judges have selected Rob Swanton as my successor,” Hodges said. “I have known Rob for 30 years and have every confidence that our Mental Health Treatment Court and the other treatment courts will be in good hands going forward.”
Swanton closed his criminal law practice in December in anticipation of retirement. He said he expressed an interest in serving as the general associate judge over the specialty courts and was pleased when the county’s state district judges and county court-at-law judges, selected him.
“I am very proud that the judges of this county have selected me to this position,” Swanton said. “Each judges who has been involved in the particular specialty courts has done a wonderful job in running those courts, and I hope to follow in their footsteps.”
County Court-at-Law Judge Vik Deivanayagam currently presides over the DWI/Drug Court, while 74th State District Judge Gary Coley Jr. presides over the Veterans court. Swanton will preside over all three courts.
McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said the commissioners court is proud to have established the specialty courts program and will “continue to be active in helping with solutions for the growing mental health challenges in our community.”
“Combining all specialty courts is a great move which can help the court be more focused and efficient handling the specialized matters at hand,” Felton said. “We are grateful for the knowledge and leadership Judge Hodges has provided and we look forward to working with Judge Swanton to ensure these programs thrive.”
Coley, the county’s local administrative district judge, thanked the commissioners court for supporting the specialty courts, which have been instrumental in turning around the lives of those with mental health challenges, those who abuse drugs or alcohol and veterans struggling with PTSD and other issues.
“Reassigning the responsibilities to one judge is a shift that will allow these courts to grow and have an even greater impact on our community,” Coley said.
Swanton worked as a staff attorney for the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco for a year before working at a civil law firm for a few years. He opened his own law practice in 1988 and did civil and criminal work for the first 15 years. His practice over the past 20 years has been exclusively criminal defense with his law partner Phil Frederick.
Hodges, who was honored last month for his 40 years of legal service to the county and state, said Swanton will have the benefit of working with “an amazing” support staff and team of professionals who assist the specialty courts.
“I’m thankful that the county judge and commissioners court have had the wisdom and foresight to create these treatment courts, which are changing lives and giving people a second chance,” Hodges said. “I’ve been so blessed to be able to preside as a judge here in McLennan County and across the state for the last 40 years. I have formed lasting friendships with many Texas judges, and I assure you that the judges you have elected here in McLennan County are the best in the state.”
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