Justice of the Peace Barbara Perez questioned about vacation after losing election

Missing in action?

A Justice of the Peace-elect says that describes the woman he ousted in last month’s primary. On Thursday, ABC-7 went looking for the outgoing incumbent — Barbara Perez.

Perez’s term runs through the end of the year. She admitted she’s been on vacation on and off since losing the election on May 27, but she says she plans to return and fulfill her obligation through December.

“She’s cancelled all the hearings for June,” said Jesus Urenda, the new Precinct 4 JP-elect.

When asked if it was odd for a JP court to clear its docket for an entire month, Urenda responded: “Yes it is. It’s very odd.”

Urenda defeated Perez last month by getting 56-percent of the vote. Now he’s concerned she has abandoned ship since losing the election.

“It’s a big concern for me and the constituents of the County of El Paso,” Urenda said. “It would create a big backlog for the person who comes in in January.”

ABC-7 went out to the Justice of the Peace precinct 4 court on Lee Trevino to try and find Perez on Thursday. Her staff said she was not there and said they had no comment when questioned.

ABC-7 contacted Perez by phone and she agreed to meet at a restaurant on Lee Trevino, near her JP court. She was asked whether she is currently holding hearings.

“Of course I am,” Perez said. “I’ve got 189 cases scheduled for the month of June. I’ve decided to take a couple of weeks off because I haven’t had any time off. In fact, in the four years I’ve been on the bench, I’ve never had an extended vacation. Starting in July again I’m hearing anywhere from 800 to 900 cases a month, so I have a very productive court.”

Perez said she intends to fulfill her entire term.

“Absolutely, absolutely I do,” She said. “yes. I have nothing to hide. I am very proud of my record and proud of my staff.”

Perez says she’s one of the most productive JP’s in the city, hearing almost 8,000 cases a year.