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     Judge Smith is the presiding judge of the 380th Judicial District Court. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry on August 10, 2012, following his victory in the 2012 Republican primary.  The 380th judicial district comprises Collin County. As a general jurisdiction state trial court, the 380th presides over criminal felony, family law, and civil matters. Judge Smith was re-elected in 2016 and is seeking a third term in 2020.

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     Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2012, Smith had a general law practice. Smith also worked for eight years as an Assistant District Attorney in Kaufman and Collin Counties. As a prosecutor, Smith excelled in many roles: Chief Felony Prosecutor, Chief of the Misdemeanor Division, Second Assistant District Attorney, and Chief of the Special Prosecution  Division.  During his career, Smith supervised scores of young attorneys and tried hundreds of cases ranging from misdemeanor shoplifting to mortgage fraud, and from simple assault to capital murder. 

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     Judge Smith received his juris doctorate from the Boston University School of Law in 2002 and his Bachelor of Science degree from the Boston University College of Communication. 

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     Judge Smith has resided in Texas since 2002.  He and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons and two spoiled dogs. 

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ABOUT THE 380TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

CRIMINAL

In 2018, 1,012 new criminal cases were filed in the 380th Judicial District Court, ranging from state jail felony drug possession to capital murder. Common cases presided over by the court include burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault, sexual abuse of children, and homicide. During this same period, 893 cases were resolved, an impressive number, although not quite enough to keep pace with Collin County's explosive growth.  

CIVIL 

In 2018, 983 new civil cases were filed in the 380th. Civil cases vary widely, from personal injury cases involving accidents and claims of medical malpractice, defamation, breach of contract, real property disputes, and business disputes. 870 civil cases were resolved during this same period in 2018.

FAMILY

In 2018, 460 new cases related to family law were filed in the 380th District Court. Family law cases include suits for divorce, adoption, and parental termination, and other suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including suits seeking modifications of prior court orders involving children. During this same period, the court disposed of 616 cases, a significant number more than the amount filed.

ABOUT JUDGE SMITH

Education

  • Boston University School of Law, J.D.

  • Boston University College of Communication, B.S.

Professional Experience

  • Local Administrative District Judge, Collin County, Texas (2018 - Present)

  • Presiding Judge, 380th Judicial District Court, Collin County, Texas (2012 - Present)

  • Law Office of Ben Smith, McKinney, Texas

  • Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office, McKinney, Texas

  • Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Kaufman, Texas

Memberships

  • Curt B. Henderson Inn of Court, Master of the Bench

  • State Bar of Texas, Committee on Pattern Jury Charges - Criminal, Member

  • Texas Center for the Judiciary, Member

  • Collin County Bar Association, Member

  • Korean-American Citizens League of New England, Member

  • Collin County Young Lawyers Association (Past)

Teaching and Speaking Engagements

  • Taking on the Big Firm, Collin County Bar Association, Solo/Small Firm Section, 2020, Speaker

  • Cross Examination, Collin County Trial Academy, 2019, Faculty

  • CSCD Records in Family Cases, Collin County Bench Bar Foundation, 2018, Speaker

  • Jury Trials, Collin County Bar Association - Family Law Section, 2017, Speaker

  • Cross Examination, Collin County Trial Academy, 2017, Faculty

  • Jury Charges, Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2017, Speaker

  • Jury Charges, Dallas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association 2016, Speaker

  • Musings from the Bench, Collin County Bar Association, 2015, Presenter

  • Korean-American Citizens League of New England, 2015, Presenter

  • Legal Aspects of Social Media, Collin County Bar Association, 2013, Presenter

  • Court Procedures, Collin County Bar Association, 2013, Presenter

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