Why Texas Justice Matters
The decisions made in Texas courtrooms impact the lives of all Texans. Texas Justice Matters is dedicated to shedding light on how the Texas courts operate, and how the courts impact the rights of people who live and work in Texas.
The Supreme Court of Texas
A single party has unanimously controlled the Texas Supreme Court since 1998, and although judges are elected, Governors have been exploiting a rule that allows them to appoint new justices when sitting justices step down before their term. Seven of the current justices were seated in this manner.
Stacking The Supreme Court of Texas
Republican governors in Texas are using a loophole the Texas Election Code to appoint Republican justices to the state’s supreme court, many of whom have backgrounds in corporate defense law firms, effectively stacking the court in favor of big business.
Revolving Door: Texas Justices and Corporate Defense Law Firms
Five of the nine justices sitting on the Texas Supreme Court were handpicked from prominent corporate defense law firms, and some justices return to top firms when they step down.
