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 District Level Judicial Candidates Information

Chart of Texas Judicial Department
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1452920/court-structure-chart-september-2021.pdf

Brochure of the Court System

https://www.txcourts.gov/media/675444/The-Texas-Judicial-System_Print102714.pdf

I cannot stress enough how important the Judges are in the day and time in which we live. Especially Democratic Judges. Not only do they make empathetic compassionate rulings that follow the law they have developed on their own special programs to stop the school to prison pipeline and the revolving door on prisons. I will list the ones I know about under the Community Service button. They are in the trenches and know what would improve our judicial systems. Another program I have come across is separating the mentally ill to get treatment under doctor care into special hospitals for that purpose. There are many more...not to mention how the clean up from the last President is being done through the courts and they are able to right so many wrongs. Support them with donations and with getting elected, educate the public about them, and above all vote for them. The Judges will save us. Make sure there is a Democratic Judge in every possible position. As the voter you are the HR person for the state. Make sure to voter for a Judge who is well qualified. Who is experienced. Who has a fair and impartial record. And elect with a emphasis on diversity. Everyone should have a place at the table and be judged by their peers. An educated voter is always a good thing. 

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District Courts:

The district courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. The geographical area served by each court is established by the Legislature, but each county must be served by at least one district court. In sparsely populated areas of the State, several counties may be served by a single district court, while an urban county may be served by many district courts. District courts have original jurisdiction in felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. While most district courts try both criminal and civil cases, in the more densely populated counties the courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters. There are 484 District Courts in the state with 484 Judges. 13 district courts are designated criminal district courts; some others are directed to give preference to certain specialized areas. 387 districts containing one county and 97 districts containing more than one county. Texas law states that the purpose of reapportionment of the judicial districts for the district courts is to promote "prompt and efficient" administration of government by equalizing the "judicial burdens" of the district courts (Section 24.941, Government Code). This differs from the purpose of redistricting representative districts, which is to equalize the populations of the districts. Caseloads and a number of other variables, some of which are difficult to quantify, may be factored into the measurement of "judicial burden." Judicial districts are not covered by the one‐person, one‐vote requirement and may have whatever populations the legislature considers appropriate. Judicial districts are not covered by the one‐person, one‐vote requirement and may have whatever populations the legislature considers appropriate. The Texas Legislature may revise the judicial districts at any regular or special session. The Texas Constitution requires the Judicial Districts Board (JDB) to make a statewide reapportionment of judicial districts if the legislature does not do so by June of the third year following the federal decennial census. If the JDB fails to do so by August of that third year, the responsibility falls to the Legislative Redistricting Board. The boundaries of the state's courts of appeals districts are determined solely by the legislature and are not required to be redrawn at any particular time.

Terms:

District judges in Texas are selected via the partisan election method and serve four-year terms.

Qualifications:

  • a U.S. citizen;

  • a resident of Texas;

  • licensed to practice law in the state;

  • between the ages of 25 and 75;

  • a practicing lawyer and/or state judge for at least four years; and

  • a resident of his or her respective judicial district for at least two years.

Judicial salaries:

District judges receive a base salary of $125,000 annually, with potential additional compensation that may raise salaries up to $173,000 annually.

Jurisdiction:

District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount in controversy (the amount of money or damages involved) is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. While most district courts try both criminal and civil cases, in the more densely populated counties the courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters.

Resources: 

https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1455548/district-courts-january-2023.pdf

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How to Apply:

Apply through your County Democratic Chair, the Texas Secretary of State, or the State Level Democratic Party. 

                                                                                                                                Sources: https://www.txcourts.gov/about-texas-courts/trial-courts/​, https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_District_Courts#A

                                                                                                                                               https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/reqs#judicial-section

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