Qualifications
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
My role as a sitting justice and my combined 25 years of legal experience have equipped me well to meet the rigorous demands of this role with skill and sound judgment.
Ethics
How will you ensure your rulings remain impartial and free from both political pressure and the interests of your campaign donors?
As a justice, my obligation is to remain faithful to the rule of law and to apply the law as written, guided by precedent and the record before the court. That obligation requires me to set aside political pressure, personal agendas, and the interests of campaign donors. Even when a decision is difficult or unpopular, the law—not politics or outside influence—determine how I rule.
Equity
What barriers prevent Texans from accessing the court system, and what can courts do to reduce those barriers?
Texans may face barriers like poverty, the cost of legal representation, language, and unfamiliarity with our court system. Courts must continue expanding access to justice through clear and user-friendly procedures, technology, simplified forms, and strong legal aid and pro bono services so that every party has a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
Precedent
: What factors should the Court of Appeals consider when deciding whether to change a past court ruling?
An appellate court should respect precedent and the stability it provides. Any departure from a past ruling should be grounded in the Constitution, statutes, controlling higher-court authority, or sound legal principles. Courts must remain faithful to the law while carefully addressing new or unforeseen circumstances.
Philosophy
What is your judicial philosophy?
My judicial philosophy is rooted in the principle that courts apply, rather than make, the law. I approach each case with careful attention to the text, precedent, and record, while understanding the limits of the judicial role. A judge’s role is not to legislate or impose personal views, but to administer justice fairly and impartially according to the law.
