Qualifications: What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?
ETHICS: How will you ensure your rulings remain impartial and free from both political pressure and the interests of your campaign donors?
Sarah Beth Landau
I served six years as a court of appeals justice (2019-2024) and held a leadership role in hiring staff &creating
and running the law student intern program. I have both civil and criminal experience.
and running the law student intern program. I have both civil and criminal experience.
Twelve years as a public defender is good practice for
being independent and not being influenced by pressure or
criticism. When I was elected, I did not accept special interest
donations but after Elon Musk dumped millions of dollars into
this local judicial race, that seemed quaint. When I work on
cases, I block out the names of the attorneys so that I will not let
unconscious bias affect me.
being independent and not being influenced by pressure or
criticism. When I was elected, I did not accept special interest
donations but after Elon Musk dumped millions of dollars into
this local judicial race, that seemed quaint. When I work on
cases, I block out the names of the attorneys so that I will not let
unconscious bias affect me.
PHILOSOPHY: What is your judicial philosophy?
I take to heart the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Get it right and keep it tight. Beyond this, I strive to write for the loser to explain as thoughtfully and clearly as I can how I have reached my decision. If there are two ways to decide a case, I choose the one that does the least harm to the parties, the law, and the legal system.
ISSUES: What do you see as the most pressing challenge facing the courts today, and how would you propose addressing it?
I think access to justice and timely justice are the largest
issues facing the courts. I think our court could partner with the
county law library to be a hub for resources for self-represented litigants and promote the Houston Bar Association’s pro bono program. For timeliness, the court could implement internal
deadlines beyond what the state requires and offer education
issues facing the courts. I think our court could partner with the
county law library to be a hub for resources for self-represented litigants and promote the Houston Bar Association’s pro bono program. For timeliness, the court could implement internal
deadlines beyond what the state requires and offer education
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