Texas Judiciary (Chapter 6)

Alternative systems of judicial selection

Lifetimes appointments would free judges from political pressure, merit system, & recent reform proposals have all failed

merit system

Missouri plan + then judges face periodic retention elections

Missouri plan

independent commission recommends list from which governor appoints

Problems with the Texas Judiciary

• Lack of a coherent court structure • Confusing and overlapping jurisdictions • Judges without appropriate training • Raising funds for campaigns may create appearance of influence from campaign donors; perception of "justice for sale" • 1995 Judicial Campaign Fairness Act • Lack of representativeness of judges

Lack of representativeness of judges

• Women and minorities make up a much smaller percentage of the judiciary than their proportion of the population at large- Some charge that partisan at -large elections reinforce problems with representativeness