Texas Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 5 Choose 1
Chief Justice & Justice, Court of Appeals: Six-year term. There are 14 Courts of Appeals in Texas located in 14 cities throughout the state. Each of these Courts includes a Chief Justice and at least two other Justices. These Courts hear appeals on civil and criminal cases from lower courts in their districts. Current annual salary range: $154,000 to $187,800 Presidente del Tribunal y Juez, Tribunal de Apelaciones: Mandato de seis años. Hay 14 Tribunales de Apelaciones en Texas ubicados en 14 ciudades en todo el estado. Cada uno de estos tribunales incluye un Presidente del tribunal y al menos otros dos Jueces. Estos tribunales conocen de apelaciones en casos civiles y penales de los tribunales de primera instancia de sus distritos. Rango de salario anual actual: $154,000 a $187,800 Chánh Thẩm & Thẩm Phán, Tòa Kháng Án: Nhiệm kỳ sáu năm. Có 14 Tòa Kháng Án ở Texas tại 14 thành phố trên toàn tiểu bang. Mỗi Tòa Án trên bao gồm một Chánh Thẩm và tối thiểu hai Thẩm Phán khác. Các Tòa án trên thực hiện điều trần các kháng cáo về các vụ án dân sự và hình sự từ các tòa án cấp dưới thuộc địa hạt của họ. Mức lương hàng năm hiện tại: 154.000 USD đến 187.800 USD上诉法院首席法官和大法官: 任期六年。德克萨斯州有 14 个上诉法院，分布在全州 14 个城市。 每个法院都包括一名首席大法官和至少两名其他大法官。这些法院审理来自其辖区内下级法院的民事和刑事上诉案件。当前年薪范围：15.4万美元至 18.78万 美元
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://maritzaantu.com
Qualifications: What characteristics and experience qualify you to serve as a justice?
I have 20 years of practice in criminal law, as a prosecutor, a defense attorney and a District Court Judge. I have tried over 80 jury trials and have extensive knowledge in criminal trial issues.
Ethics: Since judicial candidates solicit donations and raise money to be elected, how can voters be assured that campaign donations will not impact how judges interpret the law and review lower court decisions?
As a District Court Judge, I called balls and strikes without any regard to political affiliation or donations. As I did before, and as a Justice, I will follow the law as written and will evaluate the facts as presented in the record. I will not be swayed by personal influence or political pressure. I take my oath to uphold the Constitution very seriously, and if elected, I will follow the law.
Judicial Elections: How would the administration of justice be impacted if judges ran in nonpartisan races?
The administration of justice would benefit from nonpartisan races that would ensure candidates have the experience, and the qualifications required for the position they seek. More importantly, the process would ensure that judges who are doing a good job would continue on the bench. Too often, highly qualified and efficient judges are swept off the bench because of the political climate.
Equity: What can be done to improve access to justice for all, including persons or groups who may be underserved?
To improve access to justice for all, we must focus on providing immediate, ethical and effective legal representation, especially to low-income litigants. As a District Court Judge, this was of utmost importance to me. I also applaud the Supreme Court's order aimed to bridge the justice gap by allowing non-lawyers to provide limited legal services for those litigants who cannot afford attorneys.
Court System: What effect will the new business court and statewide court of appeals have on the administration of justice in Texas?
The new business court will have a positive effect on the administration of justice. The new court will hear complex business litigation. Transferring these types of cases out of the 1st and 14th Courts of appeals will reduce the number of cases, resulting in increased efficiency at the 1st and 14th Courts of Appeals.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://francesbourliot.com
Qualifications: What characteristics and experience qualify you to serve as a justice?
Before I took the bench on January 1, 2019, I represented individuals in civil and criminal cases at the trial and appellate level - first as a public defender and then at a civil litigation firm.
Ethics: Since judicial candidates solicit donations and raise money to be elected, how can voters be assured that campaign donations will not impact how judges interpret the law and review lower court decisions?
Our greatest responsibility as a judge is to ensure the law is applied correctly to the facts in a fair and neutral manner to all parties. However, in a system of partisan elections that are run by political donations, the risk is always there that a decision is made for monetary/political reasons. Donor and spending transparency help expose potential biases and ensure neutrality.
Judicial Elections: How would the administration of justice be impacted if judges ran in nonpartisan races?
In an ideal world, nonpartisan judicial races would produce a judiciary that was more neutral and unbiased with people voting based on qualifications rather than political parties. Because we have partisan elections, it is important to choose qualified candidates who have proven to be public servants and dedicated to the fair and neutral administration of justice.
Equity: What can be done to improve access to justice for all, including persons or groups who may be underserved?
As a former public defender, I have seen first hand the impediments to justice and the legal system that exist in the traditionally marginalized groups of society. It is important to elect a judiciary that is cognizant of this divide, that is committed to developing and encouraging access to assistive programs, and who reviews the records to ensure that every voice is given fair and equal access.
Court System: What effect will the new business court and statewide court of appeals have on the administration of justice in Texas?
The new business and statewide courts were created despite strong bipartisan opposition and will be filled with unelected judges who have been appointed by the governor. While we can hope for no significant impact, those courts have the potential to consolidate power and take power away from our constituents by creating a new tier of courts that were created for political reasons.