About Terrance
Terrance Windham has been a member of the State Bar of Texas for 31 years. A top-notch trial lawyer, Terrance will be an outstanding trial judge. He has practiced criminal law as a prosecutor and defense attorney. He has practiced in service to our country as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force and in service to our local community as an Assistant District Attorney.
For the past 18 years, Terrance has served the citizens of Harris County as an Assistant District Attorney. He is a Chief Felony Prosecutor and has served as Chief Prosecutor in the 351st, 262nd, 248th, and 314th District Courts. Terrance has spent his entire career as a prosecutor on the front lines in the District Attorney's Trial Bureau prosecuting all types of felony cases, including death penalty cases. He is exceedingly experienced in the preparation and trial of criminal cases, including preparation of pleadings, presentation of cases before Grand Juries, pre-trial discovery, motions practice, and trial.
In addition to his service as an Air Force JAG prior to his joining the District Attorney's Office, Terrance practiced criminal law as a private practitioner. While in private practice he tried many criminal cases as a criminal defense attorney. Terrance knows what it's like to sit on both sides of the counsel table in a criminal prosecution.
During his legal career Terrance has tried over 200 criminal cases, including 30 capital murder cases and many other homicides and other aggravated felony cases. He has worked extensively with law enforcement, crime victims, and families of victims, the defense bar, and others who work in the criminal justice field.
With his diverse experience, Terrance Windham is extraordinarily qualified for the bench and uniquely capable of understanding the varied perspectives of all participants in our criminal justice system. He will bring a strong knowledge of the law, a genuine sense of fairness and justice, a judicious temperament, and honesty and integrity to the judiciary.
Full Profile
Terrance Windham: Education
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1977, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas
- B.A., 1973, Bishop College, Dallas, Texas
- Graduate, National College of District Attorneys
- Graduate, Numerous Continuing Legal Education Courses
- Supreme Court of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- Assistant District Attorney, Chief Felony Prosecutor, Harris County
- Judge Advocate, United States Air Force
- Private Practice (Criminal Defense)
- Member, Texas State Bar
- Member, Houston Bar Association
- Member, Texas District and County Attorneys Association
- Extensive criminal trial experience, including 30 capital murder trials
- Served as Chief Prosecutor in several felony district courts
- Trained and supervised Assistant District Attorneys assigned to court
- Top Secret Security Clearance
- Judge Advocate, United States Air Force Reserves (1981 - 2005)
Retired at rank of Lieutenant Colonel - Judge Advocate, United States Air Force (Active Duty 1977 - 1981)
Held rank of Captain
Honorable Discharge - Member, Air Force Retired Judge Advocates Association
- Husband, father, Harris County homeowner
Judicial Philosophy
I am a conservative man who will bring a conservative judicial philosophy to the bench. I believe that judges should interpret and fairly apply the law, not make law from the bench. I am a firm believer in the Constitution and laws of our country and of our Great State of Texas. I am a firm believer in the concepts of ordered government and the rule of law. I am a firm believer in the concept that punishment should fit the crime, but I also believe it should fit the offender. I believe that dangerous criminals who commit violent crimes should be dealt with harshly. But I also believe that those who don't need to be dealt with as harshly should be dealt with appropriately on a case-by-case basis.
Military Service
After graduating from law school, Terrance chose to put his legal education to use in service to our country.
He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Judge General's Corp.
After completing his basic officer training course, he attended the the Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) School at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Upon graduation, Terrance received his "Designation as a Judge Advocate," his "Certificate of Competency as Trial Counsel & Defense Counsel," and was licensed to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
He served as Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the following assignments: 58th Combat Support Group, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona; 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Korea; and 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
Terrance also served as Area Defense Counsel for Kunsan, Kwang Ju, and Kim Hae Air Bases in Korea.
Professional Military Education
- Graduate, U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's School
- Graduate, U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School
- Graduate, U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College
- Graduate of several military Continuing Legal Education Courses
- Tried numerous felony courts-martial cases as Prosecutor and/or Defense Counsel
- Served as Legal Advisor in Inspector General (IG) Investigations and Administrative Hearings such as Administrative Discharge Boards and Flying Evaluation Boards
- Served as Investigating Officer in Article 32 UCMJ Hearings (the military equivalent to a grand jury proceeding)
- Represented the Air Force in hearings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- 28 years of service in the U. S. Air Force Judge General's Corp
(Active Duty & Reserve Forces) - Top Secret Security Clearance
- Retired, Lieutenant Colonel
