African-American women running for judicial posts in Harris County, Texas. On January 18, they met for the first time at a Democratic Party get-together. They were willing to run if they had the opportunity. They may be surprising, but they all have the ability to do the job. We will show you why these women are the best candidates to fill the Harris County judicial positions. Before you can understand their identities, however, it is important to first identify them.
Women judges
Harris County voters voted in 19 African-American women for judicial posts in 2018. Many of these new Judges met for the very first time at an event hosted by the Democratic Party. Women hope their presence in the courtroom can change racial disparities. Women judges have the unique opportunity of making a difference in people's lives. They are the ones who set a tone in courtrooms and make hearings fair.
Despite the grim news, the Connecticut Trans-Advocacy Coalition celebrated the election 19 black women to Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12. These women were part the "Black Girl Magic” campaign. The ads showed all Harris County judges. There were two of them who lost their bids on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Both women kept their current jobs as judges but they included the voices from their peers in campaigns.
Pandemic-induced frustrations
Harris County's inmates are long and many of them face violent charges. In some cases, the county placed a hold and has been unable to release the inmates. The county and state elected officials had been considering releasing the inmates to stem the spread of pandemic. Virtual court hearings revealed only seven of the 60 prisoners had been released.
Due to COVID-era practices and the recent pandemic, criminal cases have accumulated a lot more than ever before. County courts had to devise safe ways to conduct trials. Many criminal cases were also halted during the pandemic. During the pandemic, COVID cases in Harris County increased by more than 35%, which led to even more delays.
Backlog of felonies awaiting arraignment
According to Harris County's District Attorney's Office, Harris County has a backlog of felonies. The backlog now exceeds 135,000 cases, and it has been there for almost five years. This figure is significantly higher than one would expect given the impact of Hurricane Harvey as well as the COVID-19 epidemic. The Backlog is expected to shrink, but The Forward Times continues to investigate how law enforcement agencies work with the courts to reduce it and what resources are being expended to do so.
Harris County leaders have approved a resolution asking the Texas Legislature for the creation of a second district criminal court in an effort to reduce the backlog. The backlog has made it difficult for local prosecutors to make ends meet. District Attorney Kim Ogg said her office was prioritizing cases involving violent crimes. Jose Hidalgo said that the backlog was an emergency situation.
Education of judges
Despite the recent rise in homicides, there has not been much change in the criminal justice system. Harris County judges are striving to make the justice system better for their county residents. In January, Judge Holly Williamson was sworn in as the county's new Justice of the Peace. She had previously practiced law in the federal, state, and JP courts. With a budget exceeding 1.3 million dollars she manages over 22,000 cases per year. This includes civil and criminal trials, bench and jury trials, hot check, probable cause hearings, and the truancy courts.
Judge Jackson was a mentor for at risk youths, and is involved in numerous community service organizations. She is a Houston Chapter of Links, Inc., where her Services to Youth program chair, and a Houston Livestock Show Rodeo member for over 40 years. She is also a member Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Lakewood Church.
FAQ
What job opportunities will I have once I'm done with school?
Graduates can choose from three career options: government service, private practice, or public interest. Public interest jobs can be as an attorney in a non-profit or as a judge. Private practice roles include those as a solo practitioner, partner, or corporate lawyer. Government service careers include working as a prosecutor, defense attorney, or judge.
Are all attorneys required to wear suits?
Not necessarily. Some prefer to wear casual clothes while others prefer suits. Many lawyers dress casually. Some states do require lawyers to dress professionally.
What is a pro-bono lawyer?
A pro bono lawyer is someone who does free legal services for people who cannot afford them. They are usually lawyers who do this as part of their job, but they also do it on their own time. This can include helping elderly clients with their estate planning or representing indigent defendants.
What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?
Paralegals are trained to perform certain tasks like filing, typing, researching, and filing. Attorneys might need legal assistants to prepare pleadings or drafting motions. These professionals are essential for attorneys to be able to finish their work.
How long does it take for a lawyer to become one?
The answer may not be as simple as you think. After high school, you will need to work hard for at minimum four years. But there are other factors.
You also have to pass exams and do well enough on them to get into law school. Then you'll spend another two years studying law.
After this, you will graduate from law school. Then, you will return to college to complete the bar exam. You are now a licensed attorney if you pass this exam.
How does a lawyer make seven figures?
A lawyer should understand the law's impact on business transactions. They should also understand what makes businesses tick and how they operate. This knowledge allows clients to get legal advice from start to finish.
They should be able and willing to negotiate contracts. Lawyers must also be skilled at writing briefs and other documents for court proceedings. Additionally, lawyers must have the ability to communicate with clients and build trust.
It is important to be able and competent in communicating with clients, employees, as well as colleagues, if you wish to earn $7,000/hour. Effective time management skills are essential to ensure you meet deadlines. You must also have good organizational skills and be able to multitask.
Statistics
- The states that saw the biggest increase in average salary over the last 5 years are Rhode Island (+26.6%), Wisconsin (+24.1), Massachusetts (23.2%), Wyoming (18.3%), and North Dakota (18.1%). (legal.io)
- According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average annual wage of a lawyer is $144,230. (legal.io)
- A Johns Hopkins study of more than 100 professions found lawyers the most likely to have severe depression—four times more likely than the average person. (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
- According to a 2019 Robert Half Legal Consulting Solutions survey, 54% of law firms were planning to expand their legal teams. (stfrancislaw.com)
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How To
How to make the will with a lawyer
A will is an important legal document which determines who gets the property after you die. It also includes instructions for how to pay off any debts or other financial obligations.
A will should be drafted by a solicitor (lawyer) and signed by two witnesses. If you wish to leave everything to someone without any restrictions as to how they use it, you can choose to not make awill. However, this may lead to problems later when you cannot consent to medical treatment or decide where people live.
The state can appoint trustees to administer your estate until you are buried. This includes paying all of your debts and donating any property that you have. If there's no will, trustees may sell your house to make the funds available for your beneficiaries. Administrators of your estate will be charged a fee.
A will is necessary for three reasons. It protects your loved-ones from being left in financial ruin. It ensures your wishes are fulfilled after you pass away. Thirdly, it makes it easier for your executor (the person appointed to fulfill your wishes).
Contact a solicitor first to discuss your options. Costs for a will vary depending on whether you are married or single. As well as writing a will for you, solicitors can offer advice on many other issues such as:
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Gifts to family members
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Choose guardians for your children
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Repaying loans
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Manage your affairs while still alive
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Avoid probate
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How to avoid capital losses tax when selling assets
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What happens to your home if you die before you sell it
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Who pays for funeral expenses?
Either write the will yourself, or have a relative or friend help you. But remember, if someone asks you to sign a Will, you cannot modify it later.