Judge Dana Zachary
Judge Zachary has served as the Associate Judge for Brazos County since her appointment in October 2002. As the county’s first Associate Judge, she initially presided over felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, family law matters, juvenile cases, and the Brazos County Recovery Court (formerly Drug Court), while also administering the county’s Indigent Defense Plan. As the Associate Court expanded with the appointment of additional associate judges, Judge Zachary’s primary docket shifted to misdemeanor criminal cases. She continues to oversee the Brazos County Indigent Defense Office, the Electronic Monitoring and Jail Work Release Program, and the Brazos County Recovery Court.
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Judge Zachary earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas and received her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1992. She has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1992. Before taking the bench, she maintained a private practice concentrating on family law and criminal defense.
A strong advocate for problem-solving courts, Judge Zachary was a founding leader of Brazos County’s Recovery Court, a specialty court program that provides treatment-focused alternatives to incarceration for eligible individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Under her leadership, the program has helped hundreds of participants achieve long-term recovery, reunite with their families, secure employment, and become productive members of the community. In 2025, she was honored with the Judge John C. Creuzot Award for Judicial Vision and Leadership by the Texas Association of Specialty Courts in recognition of her outstanding contributions to specialty courts and rehabilitation-focused justice throughout Texas.
Judge Zachary remains committed to serving the citizens of Brazos County with integrity, fairness, and compassion. She is dedicated to promoting accountability, protecting public safety, and ensuring equal access to justice while supporting innovative programs that strengthen individuals, families, and the community.
The goal of the Misdemeanor Associate Court is to provide a just, fair, equitable, efficient, timely, and impartial adjudication of the rights of litigants within the bounds of substantive law and procedural law as promulgated in Texas.
The Misdemeanor Associate Court:
- Appoints legal representation to indigent defendants (court-appointed attorney)
- Hears bond modifications and revocations
- Hears civil commitment matters
- Hears misdemeanor criminal cases
- Hears writs of habeas corpus
Fees and Filings
For questions about fees, filings and status of filings for occupational driver’s licenses and criminal cases involving class B misdemeanors and above, please call the Brazos County District Clerk’s Office at (979) 361-4230.
Electronic Monitors and Work Release
For questions about the electronic monitor or the county work release program, please call our office at (979) 361-4540.
Important: Don’t Contact the Judge
Do not attempt to contact a judge by mail, email, or in person about any pending or potential lawsuit. Doing so may result in serious consequences.
Misdemeanor Associate Court
Brazos County Courthouse
300 E. 26th St.
Suite 2106
Bryan, TX 77803
Courtroom: Suite 2113
Phone: (979) 361-4540
Hours
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lisa Paradis
Court Coordinator
Miguel Cantu
Program Monitor
Wayland Van Nest
Bailiff
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