by Carol Sims | Jan 20, 2014 | Uncategorized
Join the TCJL Campaign to Elect Qualified Judges! The Texas Civil Justice League (TCJL) has launched a statewide voter education effort to increase awareness about the importance of electing—and re-electing!—qualified judges. As Texans, we get to elect our judges and that is a big responsibility. TCJL is urging people to do their homework, exercise their democratic right and responsibility to vote, and to vote for good people who make great judges. Several short videos featuring prominent Texans are being created to educate citizens about the judicial system and the profound impact judges can have on their daily lives. Click on the picture below to view one of the videos, which features former Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O’Neill. Voter Campaign Announcement TCJL announced the statewide campaign by releasing the following press release earlier today. Texas Civil Justice League Announces Statewide Campaign to Improve Voter Turnout for Judicial Elections Voter Participation Drops Significantly for Judicial Races Compared to Other Higher-Profile Races The Texas Civil Justice League (TCJL) has announced a statewide advocacy campaign to increase voter participation in judicial races. The organization, which advocates for a fair and balanced judicial system in Texas, is launching a voter education effort aimed at increasing awareness throughout the state about the importance of electing qualified judges. “Many Texans don’t understand how important it is to educate themselves on the qualifications of those who run in judicial races so that they can vote for the most qualified candidates,” John Fainter, chair of the TCJL board of directors, said. “In reality, a judge can have a major, direct influence on a citizen—perhaps more than any other elected official—including making decisions that...
by Carol Sims | Jan 9, 2014 | Uncategorized
Texas appellate judges have to be absolutely independent of political pressures. Cases should be decided on the facts and the law, not on politics or the latest press. Study the candidates carefully to satisfy yourself that the people you help elect measure up to the very highest ethical and professional standards. Take a good look at how the candidates measure up on key points: Legal credentials; Independence; Fairness and impartiality; Respect of their peers. Texas courts that merit our confidence and trust are our best assurance that we will be governed by a legal system rooted in traditions of fair play. A court with integrity and quality beyond question assures a level playing field for all...
by Carol Sims | Sep 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
Chief Justice Jones announced recently that he will not seek re-election for his term expiring in 2014. That is the only spot, of 6 seats on the 3rd Court, on the 2014 ballot.
by Carol Sims | Sep 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
CHIEF JUSTICE JEFFERSON ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/pdf/WBJ_090313.pdf Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson announced Tuesday that he will leave the Supreme Court of Texas effective October 1, 2013. Chief Justice Jefferson has not determined his plans upon retirement. Under his leadership, the Court drastically reduced the number of cases carried over from one term to another and significantly increased the use of technology to improve efficiency, increase transparency and decrease costs. “I was fortunate to have served under Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips, who in his nearly 17 years transformed the Court into a leader not only in jurisprudence, but also in the hard work of administering justice fairly,” Jefferson said. “I am most proud to have worked with my colleagues to increase the public’s access to the legal system, which guarantees the rights conferred by our Constitutions.” Under his leadership cameras came to the Court in 2007, allowing the public to view oral arguments live to bolster the public’s understanding of the Court’s work. The Court implemented a new case-management system and required all lawyers to submit appellate briefs electronically for posting on the Court’s website so that the arguments framing the great issues of the day are accessible to Texas citizens. The Court mandated electronic filing of court documents last year, which will decrease the cost of litigation and increase courts’ productivity. The Court fought for increased funding for basic civil legal services and established the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth, and Families. Jefferson led efforts to preserve historic court documents throughout the state and helped to reform antiquated juvenile-justice practices. Appointed by Governor Rick Perry, Jefferson...
by Carol Sims | Aug 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall Announces Bid for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals May 9, 2013 http://judgekfortexas.com/ SEGUIN, TX – Republican District Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall announced his candidacy for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s highest criminal court. As District Judge of Texas’ Second 25th Judicial District, Kirkendall has served a four-county region in the high growth San Antonio-Austin corridor since 2005, where he has built a reputation as a tough but fair judge. Prior to his election to the bench, Kirkendall served over 20 distinguished years as District Attorney for the 25th Judicial District, prosecuting felony criminal matters, including being named “Texas Prosecutor of the Year” by the State Bar of Texas in 1996. An active member of the Texas legal community, Kirkendall is past President and Chairman of the Board for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and is frequent speaker at continuing legal and judicial education seminars. He has been awarded the Exemplary Judicial Faculty Award by the Texas Center for the Judiciary, and the Political Courage Award by the Jon Ben Sheppard Public Leadership Forum at UT-Permian Basin. Kirkendall was a criminal defense lawyer for ten years, prior to his election as District Attorney. He was also honored to be appointed a briefing attorney for the Court of Criminal Appeals after his graduation from the University of Texas School of Law. As a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Kirkendall will work to apply the law as written, while guaranteeing that the highest ethical and legal standards are applied to every case coming before the Court. “As a judge and former prosecutor,...
