Just as it is important to care about who serves as your Governor or state legislator, the people who are elected to the Texas Supreme Court serve an important role within the checks and balances of state government.
Members of the Supreme Court have the ability to strike down laws and order government officials to take certain actions. They have tremendous influence on how government operates and how it impacts your life. Because many court decisions are made by a one-vote majority (a 5-4 vote), it is crucial to know that all of the justices you are electing to the Supreme Court share your beliefs and values and will act on your behalf. General information about the Texas Supreme Court is available at the link below.
http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/
The Texas Supreme Court, which is located in the City of Austin, plays a critical role because it is the highest court in Texas. Because Judges in Texas are chosen by election, it is not only important to understand general information about the Supreme Court and the current justices on the bench, but to also learn about the 2008 Supreme Court candidates.
2008 Texas Supreme Court Candidates
The 2008 Texas Supreme Court election will consist of three races.
Additional information about the Texas Supreme Court races can be accessed via the link below.
http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=Supreme_Court&g=TEXAS
Biographies of the Justices
The Supreme Court of Texas consists of nine justices. The justices of the Supreme Court are elected to staggered six-year terms in state-wide elections. When a vacancy arises, the Governor may appoint a justice, subject to Senate confirmation, to serve out the remainder of an unexpired term until the next general election. To learn more about each of the Texas Supreme Court justices, read their biographies at the link below.
http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/court/justices.asp
Supreme Court Overview
One of the most fundamental questions of law is whether a given court has jurisdiction to preside over a given case. Jurisdiction refers to the right and power to interpret and apply the law. The Supreme Court of Texas is the court of last resort for civil matters in the State of Texas. To learn more about the structure of Texas Court System, visit the link below.
http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=Judicial_Information&g=TEXAS
Most of the cases heard by the Texas Supreme Court are appeals involving questions arising under the Texas Constitution. Cases that go to the Texas Supreme Court generally have originated in the court of appeals or are cases in which there have been conflicting opinions on the same question from two or more courts of appeals. The Supreme Court also hears all cases in which the death penalty has been imposed. Finally, the Supreme Court's jurisdiction extends to reviewing the actions of certain administrative agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, which oversees utility issues, and the Board of Tax Appeals. To review other interesting facts about the Texas Supreme Court, visit the link below.
http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=Supreme_Court_QA&g=TEXAS
