Hon. Brandy Mueller, Austin

Judge Brandy Mueller, a native Austinite and mother of 3, has worked in criminal justice for nearly 25 years. She has practiced at every level of our criminal trial court system and has served in all 3 roles in our criminal courts: as prosecutor, defense attorney and as judge. She has served as an Assistant County Attorney, an Assistant District Attorney, a Special Assistant United States Attorney and as a defense attorney. She was first elected judge of a misdemeanor criminal court bench in November of 2010 and then elected Judge of the 403rd Criminal District Court, in Austin, Texas.

Shortly after becoming a judge, she created and implemented Project Engage, an award-winning diversion program for young adult defendants, ages 17 to 21. Project Engage is characterized by its requirements for employment and/or school, engagement with supportive services and leadership inspiring community service. Project Engage is proud to have a number community partners and as well as a low conviction and revocation rate. She was awarded the Civic Futures Award by the City of Austin, and the Austin Bar Association award for Judicial Excellence in Criminal law in 2019, and that same year, the Sam Biscoe award for Outstanding Community Service, Dedication and Commitment to Excellence in Criminal Law. She has worked with the US State Department in drafting youth program legislation and recently co-founded the Austin Youth Justice Network. Throughout her career, she has served on boards and foundations dedicated to youth and education, such as; American Youth Works Ameri-Corps, CAN Academy, the Lola Wright Foundation, Back on My Feet, and the Travis County Dispute Resolution Center. She is a graduate of Leadership Austin and a former Pupil, Barrister and Master of the Robert Calvert Inn of Court and currently serves on the Executive Board of the National Association of Women Judges.