By Laura Swift

Less than two weeks after Cathy Haden resigned as Murphy’s municipal judge, the City Council appointed Chrissi Gumbert as Haden’s temporary replacement. While Gumbert takes the reigns at court, the city will conduct a more extensive search for a full-time municipal judge.

In June, the City Council had raised questions about Haden’s handling of Municipal Court cases. Following an executive session, the Council asked City Manager James Fisher to find out if a contract had been offered to Haden and asked him to investigate how the court is operating.

“There was an immediate need for someone to come help get the court rolling again while the city conducts a more extensive search,” Gumbert said. “It’s been rough on the clerks.

“I can tell you that any [case] backlog is our top priority. We will work diligently to process all pending cases while we handle new cases that are filed with the court. I expect the court to operate smoothly during this time of transition.”

Gumbert said a friend in the Dallas District Attorney’s Office told her about the open position in Murphy. “I called [Court Administrator] Patti Towne and the wheels just started turning from there,” Gumbert said.

She has served as associate municipal judge for the city if Richardson, which has a more expansive court system because it’s a court of record. Gumbert has also worked in the Public Integrity Division and Trial Division of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and her law degree from the University of Texas.

Gumbert said as Murphy’s municipal judge, she’ll be able to issue arrest and search warrants, oversee court dockets, hear cases, determine if and when to dismiss a case, and serve as a magistrate.

“I think it’s a good fit,” Gumbert said. “I’m looking forward to it.”