Bringing Justice to Precinct 3: An Exclusive Interview with Judge Sonia Rash

Interview conducted by renowned journalist Tariq Nehal Khan
Published by Your House Channel | Follow @DesiTVUSA

On a bright spring morning in Fort Bend County, Texas, a unique conversation unfolded inside the walls of the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace courtroom. Acclaimed journalist and founder of both digital and print media platforms, Tariq Nehal Khan, sat down with Judge Sonia Rash for an exclusive, educational interview that offered the public an in-depth look into the life and work of one of Fort Bend County’s most committed public servants.
Judge Rash, the daughter of South Asian immigrants who settled in Texas in the 1970s, grew up in the very community she now serves. Raised with the values of hard work, accountability, and service, she carries these deeply rooted principles into her judicial role every day. After earning a degree in political science and a master’s degree in international relations with her core in economics, she dedicated her time to local nonprofits, while pursuing her law degree at the Texas Southern University. Judge Rash is licensed attorney in both the State and Federal court in Texas. Her early legal career was spent in general private practice, with a focus on personal injury, contracts, family, and landlord-tenant issues. However, it was a sense of calling—rather than ambition—that eventually drew her to the bench in 2022, when she was elected Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3.

In this candid conversation, Judge Rash opened up about the diverse responsibilities she manages in her role. Her day begins early, typically before dawn, as she reviews the court docket with her staff, including her trusted court coordinator and clerks. The rest of her day is often filled with ministration hearings, small-claims court, landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanor criminal cases, and truancy matters—all while ensuring her presence in the wider community through outreach and educational initiatives.
Her courtroom, while often busy, is guided by principles of efficiency, transparency, fairness, and respect. Judge Rash handles Class C misdemeanors such as minor traffic violations, municipal code breaches, and civil small claims disputes up to $20,000.
Understanding the importance of accessibility and clarity, Judge Rash recently implemented an online court docket for hearings and trials, in certain cases, dramatically cutting wait times for those needing court services. The court also provides multilingual resources in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi and Urdu, ensuring that everyone—regardless of background—understands their rights and the legal processes involved.
“Every person who walks in here deserves respect, clarity and fairness,” Judge Rash affirmed during the interview.
Her approach to justice goes beyond merely adjudicating cases. She views her courtroom as a platform for public service for education, community empowerment, and restorative justice. One of the most memorable stories she shared was about a single mother who couldn’t afford to pay a traffic fine. Instead of imposing a financial penalty, Judge Rash offered her a community service options and advised about job opportunities. The woman not only completed her hours but also found stable employment. “Watching her leave reminded me that justice can transform lives, not just punish,” Judge Rash said.
This mission-driven approach extends into her community programs. With various “Court in the Community” sessions hosted in the courtroom offering free legal information in partnership with other lawyers and aid organizations, Judge Rash is taking justice outside the courthouse and providing it to the Fort Bend community she serves. These events include everything from filing assistance to mock trials for students, aiming to make legal education accessible and engaging.

Judge Rash has initiated several forward-thinking initiatives, including:
⦁ Launching night court sessions for minor infractions to increase convenience
⦁ Expanding language access and translation services for non-English speakers
⦁ Partnering with South TX College of Law for free mediation for parties in legal suits to encourage peaceful conflict resolution among people
⦁ Created legal and non-legal resource area in her lobby for those that may need assistance
Her philosophy is rooted in the idea that being a public servant is a privilege. “Use it to empower others,” she emphasized. This sense of humility and service runs through everything she does—from her courtroom rulings to her tireless outreach work.

Through Tariq Nehal Khan’s skillful and insightful questioning, this interview paints a full picture of Judge Sonia Rash—not just as a public official, but as a compassionate leader, a visionary in local justice reform, and a dedicated member of her community. It’s a powerful reminder of how local courts, often overlooked in broader discussions about the legal system, can be centers of empowerment, education, and equity.

Call to Action:
To see the full interview and learn more about the work being done at the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Office under Judge Sonia Rash, watch the video now on Your House Channel. Don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe, and follow DesiTVUSA on Facebook for more impactful stories and interviews.