Texas Judiciary is one of the most flawed Judicial Systems in the world. Those holding Judicial positions campaign to get elected. This includes court Judges to the Attorney General. The elections are partisan involving two major political groups, the Democrats and Republicans. The political affiliation of the judges and other holders of office affect their competency. This has been displayed in past rulings where judges do not seem to follow substantive or procedural law in making their verdicts (Dead Wrong, 154).
During the campaigns, candidates are funded by their parties. This consequently that when a candidate is elected to office, then he owes is loyalty and allegiance to the party. Campaign money is also raised by members’ contributions. Judges are not affected by public opinions when making their rulings. However, political influence can affect the course a judgment may take. This has been demonstrated in a number of cases. The case of Jose Ernesto Medellin demonstrates the flaws in the judiciary. The Mexican citizen was sentenced to death without a fair trial. He was not offered an opportunity to get legal support from Mexican consulates. Jeff Wood was also sentenced to death for a crime he committed under duress. The public was convinced that Jeff did not commit the crime. However, the judges made a sentence having him killed (Dead Wrong, 212).
Capital punishment is common in Texas. Those found guilty of most crimes are sentenced to death. This is a violation of human rights. In some cases, the United Nations Court of Justice has tried to intervene but all in vain. Supreme Court judges do not reveal how the members reach their final verdict thus putting their independence and transparency in question. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes decisions on whether one should be acquitted of capital punishment or not (Dead Wrong, 221). Their decision is usually non-independent.
Work Cited
Stack, Richard A. Dead Wrong: Violence, Vengeance, and the Victims of Capital Punishment. Westport, Conn: Praeger, 2006. Print.
