Commissioners Court Taking Applications to Replace Constable Barrientes-Vela



Commissioners Court Judge Wolff
Judge Nelson Wolff

Judge Nelson Wolff held a press conference to discuss the latest information regarding Constable Michelle Barrientes-Vela.  It was determined by District Attorney Joe Gonzales that, yes, Barrientes-Vela did in fact trigger Article 16 Section 65 of the Texas Constitution.  When Barrientes-Vela announced she was going to run for sheriff in 2020 she was in effect, resigning from her current position, regardless of whether she meant to or not.  The law is very clear on this topic.  You can click the link to go to one of our other articles that has the law shown in full.

Application to replace Barrientes-Vela will be taken starting today, Wednesday, through Monday of next week.  On Tuesday staff will review the applications to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.  Commissioners Court will be doing interviews on Wednesday, October 2nd.  The individual selected needs to understand that the person selected will only serve for the remainder of this term, which is up until December 31, 2020.  They do want a person who has a law enforcement background.

Word Salad from Constable’s Attorney

I’m sure no one expected Barrientes-Vela to go away quietly.  Reporters tried to speak to her while she was at the courthouse with her attorney.  When a reporter (was that you Dillon?) stated that the law was very clear the attorney responded with, “Well declarations are words (long pause) and so how you express words is a question of fact.  So, your description of it, that’s your description.  That’s not her description, in her mind.”

I guess you have to feel kind of sorry for the guy.  He’s been hired to defend someone when there is no defense.  Barrientes-Vela repeatedly said she was going to run.  She even said, in her usual poor grammar, that she was formally announcing.  When asked if they were going to take it to the Attorney General her attorney said no, it was going to stay local.  The man is all but telling his client she’s screwed but I doubt she’s hearing his words.

Mess With the Wolff, You Get the Teeth

Barrientes-Vela came into office full of bravado, thinking that everyone was going to be afraid of her.  She thought she could throw out accusations and the men would cower in fear while she strutted around.  Going up against Judge Nelson Wolff was a huge mistake on her part.  He knew it was a matter of, give her enough rope and she’ll hang herself, and she certainly did that.   Now that she has placed this gift in his hands, he’s not going to give her an inch of breathing room.

The replacement process is being pushed through quickly.  It wouldn’t surprise me if someone is sworn in by the end of next week.  Barrientes-Vela is going to be legitimately forced out due to her own actions.  The question is, how will she handle it?  I doubt seriously she’s going to hand over her credentials, badge and keys with dignity.  Wouldn’t it be ironic if deputies from the Sheriff’s Office had to go in and physically remove her?  Don’t be surprised if she puts herself in a stupid position like that.  She has already proven that she makes decisions in anger, with regrets to come later.

KSAT 12 has multiple videos in their article.  Click the link to go to their website to see the videos.

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