Commissioners to Decide if County Will Represent JP

Judge accused of forcing parents to paddle children

BROWNSVILLE - The Cameron County commissioners will decide if the county will legally represent a justice of the peace, facing several lawsuits.

A Los Fresnos family is suing Judge Gustavo Garza for allegedly forcing them to paddle their child. Since that lawsuit was announced, other families have also come forward.

Garza maintains parents are given an option of either paddling their child or paying a fine. He told NEWSCHANNEL 5 no parent was ever forced to do anything.

The county commissioners will discuss Garza's case during their executive session. They'll decide if Garza will be legally represented by the county.

The justice of the peace has a hearing scheduled for tomorrow. If the county decides not represent him in the case, Garza will have to get an attorney of his own.