Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9
Six-year term. The Texas Court of Appeals is Texas’ highest court for criminal cases. The Court includes a Presiding Judge and eight Judges, each of which is elected by voters of the entire state. The court must review all cases in which the death penalty is assessed. It also exercises discretionary review in other criminal cases and issues rulings about wrongful imprisonment. Current annual salary range: $210,000–$264,600
CANDIDATES:
- John Messinger(Republican)
- Holly Taylor(Democrat)
CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
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?
Equity
What barriers prevent Texans from accessing the court system, and what can courts do to reduce those barriers?
Precedent
What factors should the Court of Criminal Appeals consider when deciding whether to change a past court ruling?
Philosophy
What is your judicial philosophy?
