Question 1

One of the biggest controversies concerning the method of judicial selection in Texas is that there may be conflicts of interest when judges must hear cases determining the financial interests of persons who have donated to their campaigns.

Accepted Answer

This is a well-known concern with the method of judicial selection in Texas, where judges are elected and may receive campaign donations from individuals or groups with financial interests in cases that come before them. This can raise questions about impartiality and conflicts of interest.

Question 2

The State Bar of Texas is a unique organization because

Accepted Answer

The State Bar of Texas is a professional organization but it also performs functions on behalf of the government such as licensing and disciplining members. This makes it unique compared to other bar associations in the United States.

Question 3

Less than 20 percent of all district judges in Texas are Latino.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. As of 2021, only 19 percent of all district judges in Texas are Latino according to the State Bar of Texas.

Question 4

Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan.

Accepted Answer

Judicial elections in Texas are partisan, meaning candidates run with party affiliations such as Democrat or Republican.

Question 5

The Texas Supreme Court hears criminal cases only.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Supreme Court hears both civil and criminal cases.

Question 6

In order to serve in any judicial position in Texas, you must be a licensed attorney and in good standing with the Texas Bar Association.

Accepted Answer

Texas allows non-attorneys to serve in certain judicial positions, such as justices of the peace and municipal judges, depending on the jurisdiction's requirements.

Question 7

How many states also have in place a campaign fairness act similar to that of Texas's Judicial Campaign Fairness Act?

Accepted Answer

Texas is unique in having the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, which means no other state has a similar act in place.

Question 8

In 1996, the voters of Texas chose to adopt the merit selection of judges.

Accepted Answer

In 1996, the voters of Texas chose to retain the system of electing judges instead of adopting merit selection.

Question 9

Mediation is popular in civil disputes because the parties to the dispute are NOT forced into a particular decision, as they would be with arbitration.

Accepted Answer

Mediation allows the parties to come to their own decision through facilitated negotiation, while arbitration involves a third party making a binding decision for the parties involved.

Question 10

All death penalty cases are automatically appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Accepted Answer

All death penalty cases in the United States are automatically appealed to the highest court in the state, usually known as the Court of Criminal Appeals or the Supreme Court.

Question 11

According to the Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, what dollar amount is an individual limited to when donating to a statewide judicial candidate?

Accepted Answer

According to the Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, an individual is limited to $5,000 when donating to a statewide judicial candidate.

Question 12

At the same time that the Texas Supreme Court become more conservative,

Accepted Answer

The paragraph states that the legislature was passing laws that favored businesses, making it more difficult for individuals to sue businesses in civil lawsuits. This implies that the Texas Supreme Court becoming more conservative is also aligned with this trend of favoring businesses over individuals in civil lawsuits. None of the other choices in the answer option are mentioned in the paragraph.

Question 13

In a criminal trial, there must be a unanimous verdict for the defendant to be found guilty.

Accepted Answer

In most criminal trials, a unanimous verdict is required to find the defendant guilty. However, in some states, a non-unanimous verdict of 10-2 or 11-1 may be accepted.

Question 14

In Texas, the county judge presides over the county commissioner's court.

Accepted Answer

In Texas, the county judge is the presiding officer over the county commissioner's court.

Question 15

What is the most important type of case that the Texas Supreme Court handles?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Supreme Court primarily handles civil cases, including tort law cases, which involve personal injury or damages. It does not handle criminal cases, including death penalty cases, nor does it deal with impeachment of public officials or prison reform directly.

Question 16

The county judge must have political administrative functions combined with some judicial functions.

Accepted Answer

County judges typically have both political administrative duties, such as presiding over county commission meetings and managing county budgets, as well as judicial functions, such as presiding over some types of criminal and civil cases.

Question 17

In Texas, lawyers are able to continue practicing law and representing clients when they are charged with a crime, but have not yet been found guilty by a court of committing that crime.

Accepted Answer

In Texas, lawyers are allowed to continue practicing law and representing clients while they are under indictment but not yet convicted of a crime. However, if they are convicted, they may face disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas.

Question 18

Who can file a complaint with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct?

Accepted Answer

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct can receive complaints from the public, attorneys, and members of the judiciary.

Question 19

The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act

Accepted Answer

The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act limits the amount of campaign contributions a judicial candidate can receive from an individual donor. This is intended to prevent any single donor from having too much influence on a judicial candidate's campaign or future decisions as a judge.

Question 20

In Texas, appellate court judges are elected, but the governor appoints all district to six-year terms.

Accepted Answer

In Texas, appellate court judges are elected, but district judges are also elected, not appointed by the governor. District judges are elected to four-year terms, not six-year terms.

Quiz 9: The Judiciary