Judge Peggy Fulton Hora, a giant in the justice system, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Justice Speakers Institute’s President and one of its founders, Judge Hora has been described as a pioneer in the justice system, a global leader in the drug treatment court field, and a champion for therapeutic jurisprudence.
In 1985, she became the first woman judge on the bench for any of Southern Alameda County’s three municipal courts. While a municipal judge, she helped to found the Alameda County Drug Treatment Court, a ground-breaking program that sought to address substance abuse issues that are a factor in many court cases. She ultimately became the presiding judge of the Drug Treatment Court from 1998 to 2005, and it was here where she found a home, changing lives for the better one person at a time.
She retired after 21 years on the bench, but that did not mean sitting at home watching tv. She continued working on what she was most passionate about—educating others about the importance of treatment courts and substance use disorders.
Judge Hora was a recognized international leader in the solution-focused courts movement and wrote comprehensively on justice issues. Her international work included speaking at conferences worldwide and hands-on training on drug courts and therapeutic jurisprudence in Israel, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Chile, Bermuda, South Africa, Italy, Pakistan, France, Japan, Russia, Sweden, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2009-2010 Judge Hora was appointed by the Premier of South Australia as a Thinker in Residence to study and make recommendations on the Australian justice system. She once stated her appointment was one of the greatest honors she ever received. She was also a visiting scholar at the University of Tasmania School of Law.
While Judge Hora was ready to travel anywhere to improve the justice system, it was clear that New Zealand and Australia held special meaning for her. Speaking at conferences, holding training programs and connecting with people from all walks of life, when she was “down under” over a dozen times always brought a smile to her eyes. When she returned home from her trips to Australia or New Zealand, she would be already making plans for her next trip back.
She was an Honorary President of the International Therapeutic Jurisprudence Society, a worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to advancing legal and interdisciplinary scholarship; identifying and promoting best professional practices; sponsoring conferences, workshops and seminars; and, hosting and participating in print, electronic and social media platforms. A judicial award was named for her by the Society.
She was a recipient of the Bernard S. Jefferson Judicial Education Award from the California Judges’ Association and winner of the Rose Bird Award from California Women Lawyers. She was honored as Woman of the Year by the California legislature. She is also a recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award from NADCP and added into the Drug Court Hall of Fame in 2002. Throughout her career she was recognized and honored for her work.
Judge Hora had a sharp mind and loved to laugh. For a laugh, she would mention a story of hers when she was sitting as a judge hearing a minor traffic case which had dragged on and on. After denying a motion for an adjournment, the defendant meanly stated “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” Judge Hora then sang “Guilt-teeee!” She loved music, where many times she would just break out in some random song that crossed her mind.
But it was the stories about the drug court participants and the lives she changed that mattered to her. Those individuals were an inspiration to her; just as she was an inspiration to them and to those of us in the Drug Court Treatment Field.
Always in search of fine food or that special restaurant or diner to have a unique meal, she happily acknowledged being a “foodie.” To the point that at the last JSI business meeting to relax one evening, she produced a board game called Foodie Fight. The other partners knew who was going to win that night.
For over 25 years Judge Hora was on the faculty of the National Judicial College (NJC) and she was the recipient of the 2017 V. Robert Payant Award for Teaching Excellence presented by the Faculty Council of the NJC. In recognition of her extraordinary support of the National Judicial College, it established an endowment in her name that could fund education for judges from all over the world. If you are interested in donating to that endowment, click here. JSI can think of no more appropriate recognition of her life.
Judge Hora lived life to the fullest, with few regrets, and friends on six of the seven continents, and in countries around the globe. She changed lives, inspired those around her, and made the world a better place to live. Our partner, and more importantly our friend, will be missed.