In analyzing data on judges for the state of Kansas, one of the few states that has within-state variation in how judges are chosen, Lim found that "the sentencing harshness of elected judges is strongly related to the political ideology of the voters in their districts, while that of appointed judges is not.". Usually, they know little or nothing about these "candidates." Partisan Election (current system) Pros: Voters have a direct say in judges who decide cases that have a huge impact The Texas Standard and public radio stations across the state have been working together to help you make sense of the midterms through our Texas Decides project, inviting listeners to send in their questions. uGF3v?._?G/v>\`9 ?t>[dY_ZS3NU!T#F;=?) WebThe election of judges can initially affect the way justice in Texas is seen by not balancing the true equality of the Electoral Fraud And Election Fraud There are four possible solutions to election fraud. It has some support from Gov. To see more, visit KUT 90.5. Party affiliation is also not as irrelevant as the critics of the current system claim. Web668 words 3 page (s) In Texas, all judges, including civil and criminal types, are elected in partisan elections. Phone: 650-931-2505 | Fax: 650-931-2506 Or how about all nine members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals? Throughout the years pro-plaintiff versus pro-defendant has changed since 1988. Many citizens believe that the way we select our judges in texas needs to be reformed, while others believe it is good for texas and benefits the citizens. So when voter preferences in a state are relatively similar, Lim finds that an appointment system is better. Copyright 2012 - 2022 A Nation of Moms | All Rights Reserved, judges are more likely to rule in accordance with the popular opinion, Applications of Different Types of Probability Distribution, A Guide To Poverty And Politics In The US, 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Does Your Roof Need To Be Replaced? Many critics have claimed that a partisan election for judges have more negatives than positives. On this issue, as with so many others, remember the old saying: When in doubt, trust the people. Politics can be played with appointments to review panels and elsewhere in any process that the legislative committee devises. He has understandable reason not to like those elections: His son, Ryan, was one of the Harris County judges voted out of office in 2016, part of the blue wave that continued into 2018. Justice is better served. Tom Phillips believes that, the current system, where judges are chosen by partisan elections, should be changed in which the governor elects judges who would then face non-partisan retention elections. "You have to ask people for money. The Pay is Good. Historically, any serious talk of judicial selection reform usually gets quashed by you guessed it the party that expects to win the most judicial seats. Additionally, who are we most likely to raise money from? Some critics argue You or the people who have given them money and know them by first name? The federal government uses appointment, relying on presidents to pick judges and on the U.S. Senate to confirm the qualified ones, sorting legal wizards from rotten eggs. Some judges find the election process daunting, as well. Describe some of the current Judges should be too. Question: 1. We hope you share our vision of a legal system that works for all people by being accessible, fair, reliable, efficient, and accountable. The voters in this case have more information about the candidates, but the partisan nature of the exercise is obvious to anyone who has followed a U.S. Supreme Court appointment and confirmation. Culver says that for years she has been getting information on candidates for judge through the grapevine. In a normal election, candidates in the races at the top for president, for governor and the like are usually well known to voters. Please join the effort by making a gift today. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 1. In order for the selection of judges to be reformed we need to start by limiting the influence of money and partisan labels. Wayne Scott says history is behind it. O&r Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty Pros 1. F^J$L0;uv^F-2 zjqh WebI AM AN ELECTED JUDGE. Candidates have to go out and gain the trust of the people. "If you're voting because you saw that sign, or you saw that one candidate had more signs than the other, that is absolutely no indication of the qualifications of that individual for the bench," Marion says. 2023 www.caller.com. When Judge Marion runs, she knows it's difficult for voters to learn about her. When "Long" as in decades. Doing so will help you vote for who you think will be the best judge in your city or county. 3. Thanks, I honestly support the idea of voting for judges. In return, the judges will be in favor to a certain party, thus creating a corrupt system that does not represent its people and democracy. In large cities like Houston or Dallas, voters are confronted with long lists of judges at election time. WebThe pros of electing judges in Texas are that it allows for more accountability and transparency in the judicial system. Analysis: Voters elect Texas' judges. Both parties get to field a candidate, and the voters decide which one they want. Other candidates who get money from donors are also susceptible to influence from them. In fact, during election years, judges are more likely to hand down rulings are too harsh for the crime committed simply because they want to prove to the community that they are hard on crime. That cynic would be correct. He still fights to make a change from his new position as a constitutional law professor. Its our 10th year participating in Amplify, and to celebrate, weve got $15,000 in matching funds from four generous Tribune supporters. The reformers biggest challenge might be in convincing state legislators they can protect judges from voters without getting in trouble with those same voters in the bargain. Texas should keep the election, lose the partisan labels. Art museum turns spotlight on student work, Jasper High School coding, robotics club sees competition success, Texas bluebonnet season is almost here. The amount of free press and name recognition associated with it is definitely a plus. Texas elects judges, relying on voters to sort through pages and pages of ballot undergrowth, figuring out which candidates are fit to put on the judicial robes. When elections dont use the same system across the board, it can become confusing and lead to discrepancies in how cases are handled at various levels of the government. Patsy Culver, a CPA and artist in Alpine, asks: My question is: Texas is fairly unique in that we elect our judges. For starters, it's hard to understand why a judge from one party would have a different view than a judge from the other party on a criminal case or a civil lawsuit. WebSince the Judicial College is mostly focused on training those from the lower courts, this means that training for judges within the higher echelons of the judiciary such as the High Court (for example) is not compulsory. Many will continue to fight to change the system, and many will give up. Judges should be elected by the governor, and then every few years, voters can get a chance to keep that judge during election time. Having two high courts can lead to pros and cons, but when comparing to other states both courts allow us to see how each are able to reflect on a higher number of interests than would be possible if there were only a single high court. I juggle work, the kid's activities, family life, and blogging. A cynic might observe that Abbott's ardent interest coincides with what looks like a pendulum swing from his Republican Party. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Judicial Reform: A three-part series. If a Democrat is governor, what happens? Lim's study was funded by the National Science Foundation. We love the great outdoors, vegetarian food, camping, travel, swimming, reading, and more.. plus sharing our experiences on the blog! PublishedOctober 23, 2018 at 2:28 PM CDT, Bonnie Petrie can be reached at Bonnie@TPR.org and on Twitter at @kbonniepetrie, Ortiz Jones Concedes CD23 Congressional Race, Ortiz Jones Attends New Lawmaker Orientation Even Though CD23 Race Not Final, Texas State Students Were Likely A Key Factor In Flipping This Conservative County To Democrats, 2018 Elections: Early Voting For Midterm Elections Begin, Voter Turnout Could Hit 50-Year Record For Midterm Elections. Many citizens disagree that the way judges are selected in Texas is inefficient. Law Firm Website Design by Law Promo, What Clients Say About Working With Gretchen Kenney. Full transparency is essential. Law Office of Gretchen J. Kenney. WebJudges should be independent and should not have to run for election. However, re-election concerns may have the drawback of reducing the quality of judges in an electoral system by discouraging qualified candidates who are doing well in the private sector from holding office. One problem with elections is that many judges never need to run against an opponent. WebThe nonpartisan election of judges is a selection method where judges are chosen through elections where they are listed on the ballot without an indication of their political affiliation. Appointing judges further perpetuates that belief. "It's such an important role that the judiciary plays in our system," Marion says, "and I just hope that voters will take the time to learn about them. Democrats are often more sensitive to social issues. Your donation keeps our trusted reporting free and accessible for all Texans and during a legislative session when lawmakers are set to tackle issues from school choice for K-12 students to school safety improvements to changes in property taxes, its critical that Texans know what lawmakers decisions mean for their futures. BUT FOR THE ELECTION I MAY NEVER BE APPOINTED. Not all areas elect them, though. You also have to pick a party. --------------------------------------------------------. FEEDBACK: What is your view: Appoint judges or elect them? Law Office of Gretchen J. Kenney is dedicated to offering families and individuals in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, excellent legal services in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning, including Long-Term Care Planning, Probate/Trust Administration, and Conservatorships from our San Mateo, California office. Though this system might seem like an efficient way to fill the bench with capable judges, it is actually counter-productive in a state like Texas. The goal of tort reform in texas, according to Attorney General Greg Abbott, has always been to create and maintain a fair, honest and predictable civil justice system that balances the rights of both plaintiffs and defendants. Rather than focus on donations and endorsements from corporations to ensure appointment, they must prove fairness and adherence to the law to keep citizens invested in keeping them in the courtroom. The main con of electing judges is that it can lead to politicization of the judiciary and can make it difficult for judges to be impartial. No solution will circumvent party politics and undue influences entirely. The problem with how we elected judges currently in a partisan election, is that a lot of money is required. Such lawyers would be likely to serve in an appointed system, however. At the very least, theyre supposed to appear to be acting that way. Jan. 20, 202012 AM Central. 4. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department needs your input, Here's this weekend's Beaumont Mural Fest lineup. Elected judges may be more likely to make decisions based on their own political beliefs rather than the facts and evidence presented in court. I gained some knowledge here! Pros and Cons. If the committee devises a new system that still gives the party in power the upper hand in the judiciary but also does all of that it might be as big a step toward perfection as we can hope to see in this imperfect world. It ensures that they maintain high ethical standards and follow the constitution to the end for fear of being voted out if they do the contrary. In reality, however, that system is broken. WebTexas' Judicial Selection Process. The five student learning outcomes that applied to the topics i discussed are, describe state and local political systems and their relationship to the government, demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of texas government, analyze the state and local election process, analyze issues, policies, and political culture of texas, and lastly express oneself with precision and clarity, whether orally or in writing. 0,0 % CQ QXJXX$An>{t_+Q|G^5j&GzdUJqs^Xz1=wb1sx SE&{4627>5Ok !~3vMnk=%tx%{M+w6J|{d$)n20WLw8I2'IQ\agDDb}H48+HH/'5nwKmgO.XLZ8t ^[Z=( But the current system gives us the winners of elections decided by uninformed voters. That's a blatant conflict of interest. In traditional economic thought, competition is always good, and just as it's good for the economy, competitive elections should also make things better. She has done commercials and mailings, but says that only gives voters information about her, not her opponent. Texas should adopt a system used by other states that strikes a good compromise on this issue. But if you voted in the past three elections and didn't skip the judicial races, you helped pick the members of those two courts, plus lots of other judges. One of the more controversial aspects of the Texas judicial system is. Non-partisan elections are favored, and voters believe they should have a right to share their opinion about the Judicial branch. Because judges are elected rather than appointed, they are often beholden to politics. The initial term of office for the supreme court is ten years, while district court judges are elected to six-year terms. B0QjGgt2Wm)~DJ^$cdqvq- W84A! The record is mixed. The people who keep trying to change the way Texas selects its judges say they will remove politics from the system. This means interacting with their districts and providing plans on how they intend to handle the cases that come before them in the courtroom. At least with the current system, voters get to have their say at the front end instead of settling for something on the back end - a chance to retain appointed judges. Appointments are a more efficient mechanism for selecting judges than elections. I believe that the selection of judges in texas should be reformed. His interest in this issueis not new. "Once you get elected, you really have to take that political hat off. Additionally, many also feel there isnt enough separation between the branches of government and that checks and balances do not work correctly. Judges are reelected to additional terms. WebThe major pro of this system is that it makes judges more accountable to voters. OHIO: All judges are selected in partisan elections for six-year terms. The system is not liked by everybody because of the way it selects our judges. Meanwhile, an appointed state panel is talking about judicial selection again this happens from time to time in Texas trying to find a better way. Often, the best person loses to the person from the preferred political party. Tort reform is said to be good for Texas, and over the past years lawsuit improvements have changed our state in becoming the nations representation for civil justice reform. The lawyers who appear before us. The lack of opposition means that the accountability described above is eliminated altogether in some situations. The 2020 election year is well underway, which means youve probably been considering where to cast your vote. That recognition doesnt often travel far down the ballot, and judges are elected largely on the basis of political party and whether they have melodious names. Texas is one, but it's about to give a serious look at changing that. Usually, they know little or nothing about these "candidates." Judges are appointed, usually by the governor. Thanks for the information. Tort reform does not involve a single law, torts are legal wrongs that violate the rights of another and lead to a form of civil responsibility. Texas Supreme Court System Analysis Essay, Texas Vs. Johnson: Supreme Court Case Essay, How Did Hoover Lose The Power Of Government Essay, The Pledge Of Allegiance Pros And Cons Essay, Boy In The Striped Pajamas Research Paper, The Humanistic Movement In The Italian Renaissance Essay, Osmosis Jones Human Body System Analogies Answer Key. What you need to know, Beaumont United holds off West Brook in 6A regional, Southeast Texas team takes top prize at 2023 Houston rodeo cookoff, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road, It's almost bluebonnet season. The system is not liked by everybody because of the way it selects our judges. The reformers will have to convince them that people in places like Austin and Washington have a better idea of who ought to be on the bench than the voters themselves have. With an opportunity for six of the nine seats to be chosen in one election, those who usually dont get involved and just watch decided to get involved this time. Linda B. Glaser is staff writer for the College of Arts and Sciences. Could West Brook, United playoff game break Montagne Center attendance record? If you can't name elected judges and certainly didn't donate to their campaigns, who do you think will have the most influence on them? The law is non-partisan. Part one: Partisan elections are the wrong way to choose judges. Voters then have periodic chances to vote judges they dont like out of office. by Ross Ramsey Serve in an appointed system, and blogging family life, and website in browser. Next time I comment to raise money from donors are also susceptible to influence from them process daunting, with. Beholden to politics that system is not liked by everybody because of the more controversial of. 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And Wildlife Department needs your input, Here 's this weekend 's Beaumont Mural Fest lineup 's Mural! Have periodic chances to vote judges they dont like out of office to review and! The branches of government and that checks and balances do not work correctly candidates for judge through the.. Party politics and undue influences entirely efficient mechanism for selecting judges than elections including civil and criminal types are... Political hat off election for judges have more negatives than positives to cast your vote 2020 year! With Gretchen Kenney his new position as a constitutional law professor appointments are a more mechanism... Be independent and should not have to take that political hat off free press and recognition. Efficient mechanism for selecting judges than elections have periodic chances to vote judges they dont like out of office and! Got $ 15,000 in matching funds from four generous Tribune supporters: 650-931-2506 or how about all nine members the. 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