Experience Matters. |
Here are the experiences and qualifications that distinguish me from the other candidates in this race. The following things are true of me and only me of the candidates. I
--am Board-certified in criminal appellate law, the exact kind of law practiced at the Court of Criminal Appeals
--have worked at this Court for two different judges
-- served for ten years on an advisory panel to this Court, appointed to the Court by all its judges because of their respect for my work
-- have had petitions granted at this Court so I have filed briefs and argued cases there, many times
-- have extensive experience in writs, a huge part of the Court's work
-- have worked on death penalty appeals on both sides. This Court has exclusive jurisdiction of death penalty appeals.
These are the experiences only I have.
--am Board-certified in criminal appellate law, the exact kind of law practiced at the Court of Criminal Appeals
--have worked at this Court for two different judges
-- served for ten years on an advisory panel to this Court, appointed to the Court by all its judges because of their respect for my work
-- have had petitions granted at this Court so I have filed briefs and argued cases there, many times
-- have extensive experience in writs, a huge part of the Court's work
-- have worked on death penalty appeals on both sides. This Court has exclusive jurisdiction of death penalty appeals.
These are the experiences only I have.
Why experience matters...
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A trial in a criminal case should be straightforward: the State charges someone with a crime and puts on evidence to prove his guilt. Criminal appeals can be more complicated, such as when a court interprets a new statute for the first time. Opinions in criminal appeals are guides for trial lawyers all over Texas to follow. So opinions should be clear, concise, and well-reasoned. Having worked in criminal appeals for thirty years, I have the experience and the skills to write such opinions. I began my legal career at the Court of Criminal Appeals, working for two different judges doing research and writing. I have since worked on hundreds of criminal appeals, on both sides, but primarily representing the State. I have written many briefs and presented oral arguments to the Court of Criminal Appeals and other appellate courts. I have also written and argued writs, a more complicated type of appeal, in death penalty cases. The Court of Criminal Appeals has exclusive jurisdiction over death penalty cases in Texas.
Appellate judges have the responsibility of interpreting the law, not making it. I have more experience than any other candidate in doing exactly the type of work the judges of that Court do. As the author of many published novels, I also have the writing skills to write those clear, well-reasoned opinions the trial courts of Texas need to make sure cases are tried properly. Finally, I have the judicial philosophy needed on the highest criminal court in Texas. |
A bit more
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My first job out of law school was at the Court of Criminal Appeals. Instead of the usual one-year term I spent a year and a half, starting early for one judge, then working for another judge as he finished out his last term. I thought it was the greatest place in the world, and I got the best possible education in criminal law, where the law is interpreted at the highest level. From there I went to Bexar County and became a prosecutor, then a staff attorney at the Fourth Court of Appeals, years in private practice, then back into the District Attorney's Office. I have spoken at many criminal law seminars and argued hundreds of criminal appeals, including at the highest court. It's time to return.
Along the way I built a family, raised three children, and wrote and published a lot of books. I was born in Dallas, grew up in San Antonio, went to college in Austin, law school in Houston, and worked again in Austin before returning in San Antonio. And my son went to Texas Tech, where I visited him often, so I have seen miles and miles of Texas and enjoyed it all. |
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