Judicial Stuff
What are the lowest courts?
JP and Municipal
Do Judges need law degrees?
Not for Municipal and JP
How many constitutional county courts are in Texas?
254
How are judges chosen?
Voted in
If you are convicted of a felony, which court do you start out at?
(JP, Municipal, County-Level, District)
District
What is meant by "justice is for sale" in Texas?
Media and advertising costs are insanely high for a potential judge- one with more money might have a better chance of wining the election.
Texas Courts also prefer business interests over citizens.
When someone is given the death penalty, which court do they automatically go to?
Court of Criminal Appeals
Can individual donations to campaigns be limited?
No
What do Municipal courts and JP courts mostly deal with?
Misdemeanors, traffic violations
What did the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act of 1995 limit?
Mandatory caps on contributions
Voluntary limits on expenditures