District Judges Introduce Newly Appointed Magistrate Judge

SAN ANGELO, TX – The escalation of criminal activity and felony criminal court filings over the past several years has created an increased burden on Tom Green County’s criminal justice system. With the help of State Representative Drew Darby, State Senator Charles Perry, Judge Steve Floyd, and the Tom Green County Commissioners Court, a Criminal Magistrate position was created for Tom Green County. 

This position is filled through selection and appointment by the District Judges with approval by the Commissioner’s Court. 

Mr. Tommy LaFon has been appointed by the Tom Green County District Judges, and approved by the Commissioners Court, as the first Criminal Magistrate for Tom Green County. As the Criminal Magistrate, he will assist all District Courts with criminal case flow management and preside over both the Adult Felony Drug Court and the recently established Juvenile Drug Court. 

Mr. LaFon is a life-long Texan with strong West Texas roots. He grew up and attended school in Kermit, Texas. He was a Carr Scholarship recipient at Angelo State University, where he graduated with a BBA in Finance/Real Estate. Mr. LaFon received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Texas Tech School of Law in 1989, where he was a member of The Order of Barristers. 

His summers during law school were spent here in San Angelo, where he worked as a law clerk for Webb, Stokes & Sparks. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. LaFon spent 16 years in the office of the District Attorney for Harris County, Texas where he became Chief Prosecutor for the 177th, 339th, and 351st Criminal District Courts. He served in various capacities that included the Child Abuse Division, the Narcotics Task Force, and the Civil Rights/Police Integrity Division. One of the courts in which he served was presided over by the judge who spearheaded the establishment of the drug court concept in the State of Texas. 

In 2006, Mr. LaFon left the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to enter into private practice as a criminal defense attorney. During that time he has represented hundreds of defendants on charges ranging from Class C Misdemeanors to Solicitation of Capital Murder. His practice has also included representing police officers involved in on-duty shootings and allegations of misconduct. 

While representing an officer in Sutton County, Mr. LaFon travelled to San Angelo and was reminded why he loved this city so much. According to Mr. LaFon, “It wasn’t just the lack of traffic, humidity, and mosquitoes.” He remembered how friendly and helpful West Texas people truly are and what a wonderful place it is to live, causing him to relocate to San Angelo to continue his career and be closer to family. 

On the rare occasions when he is not “in Court”, Mr. LaFon can be found “on the court”. He is an avid tennis player and has participated in USTA League Play for the past 20 years. He has served on a USTA Texas Section Player Development Committee, and currently serves on the Concho Valley Tennis Association advisory board.