African-American women have applied for judicial offices in Harris County Texas. They first met at a Democratic Party gathering on January 18. They all agreed to run if given an opportunity. Their candidacies may surprise you, but they are all capable of doing the job. Here's why they make the perfect candidates to fill the Harris County court vacancies. But first, you need to understand who these women are.
Women judges
Harris County voters elected 19 African American women to the judicial post in 2018. Many of these new judges met at a Democratic Party meet-up for the first times. The women are hoping that their presence in the courtroom will change racial disparities. Women judges have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people of color. They are the judges who set the tone and make the hearings fair.
The Connecticut Trans-Advocacy Coalition, in the face of the dark news, applauded the election by 19 black women of Harris County to the 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. While both women were able to retain their jobs as judges, they also made sure that their campaigns included the voices of their peers.
Pandemic-induced frustrations
The list of inmates facing court proceedings in Harris County is long, and most of them are facing violent charges. In some cases the county has placed a halt on inmates' cases. The state and county elected officials thought about releasing the prisoners to try to prevent the spread. A virtual court hearing revealed that only seven of 60 inmates had been freed from their cases.
Additionally, the COVID era and recent pandemic have led to a rise in criminal cases. County courts were forced to figure out safe ways to conduct trials, and many criminal cases were halted for months 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 is almost five-years long and now includes 135,000 cases. 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 decrease but The Forward Times will continue investigating how law enforcement agencies and the courts cooperate to address the problem.
Harris County leaders passed a resolution calling for the Texas Legislature's creation of another district criminal courts to reduce the backlog. The backlog has strained the resources of local prosecutors. Kim Ogg, District Attorney, stated that her office prioritized cases involving violent crime. Jose Hidalgo said that the backlog was an emergency situation.
Education of judges
Despite the recent spike in homicides the area has yet not seen major reforms to its 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 Harris County's new Justice. Prior to this, she was a federal, state, district, and JP judge. With a budget in excess of 1.3 million dollars, she supervises over 20k cases per annum, including civil and penal matters, bench trials and jury trials, hot checks and probable cause hearings and truancy proceedings.
Judge Jackson, among her many commitments is a mentor for at–risk youths. She also participates in several community service organisations. 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 of Lakewood Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
FAQ
What is the difference between paralegals and legal assistants?
Paralegals are trained to perform certain tasks like filing, typing, researching, and filing. Legal assistants may assist attorneys in preparing pleadings, drafting motions, or researching. These professionals are essential for attorneys to be able to finish their work.
What is the highest-paid law firm?
Law firms that have been in existence for decades and have established themselves to be leaders in their industry are the highest-paid. They have built an extensive client base by providing excellent service at affordable rates. These firms also offer good benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
How do lawyers get paid for their work?
Legal professionals are paid an hourly rate for the time that they spend on legal matters. Hourly rates depend on the complexity and experience of the matter.
Because they have built expertise over many decades, the most skilled lawyers charge higher hourly rates.
A less experienced lawyer might be able to charge lower hourly rates, as he/she is able to efficiently handle cases.
Additional compensation is often offered to lawyers for the handling of certain types cases, in addition to their hourly rates. If they are acquitted, for example, criminal defense lawyers might be eligible to receive bonuses.
What is a pro bono lawyer?
A pro bono attorney is someone who provides legal services free of charge to those 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. You can do pro bono work for elderly clients or indigent people.
How many years does it require to become an attorney?
The truth is that it's not as straightforward as you might think. Not only do you need to study hard for four years after highschool, but there are many other factors.
To get into law school, it is necessary to pass all exams. After graduation, you will continue your studies in law for another two years.
After all of that, you'll be graduating from law school. Next, you'll return to college to continue studying for the bar exam. You are now a licensed attorney if you pass this exam.
Statistics
- The nationwide number of first-year students enrolling last fall increased by almost 12%, according to recent data by the American Bar Association. (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)
- According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
- 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)
- Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all graduating law school students. (rasmussen.edu)
External Links
How To
What is the best way to get free legal assistance?
It can be hard to find a lawyer who is pro bono because there are so many attorneys out there looking for your business. There are several options to help you find a probono lawyer. There are many options. You can ask your local bar associations for help, search the internet to find pro bono lawyers, or contact your state's bars association. Another way to find a pro bono attorney is through a local law school. Many law schools offer their students the opportunity to work with low-income clients to give them access to justice. If none these options appeal to your needs, then you might want to consider working with a nonprofit such as Legal Services Corporation. LSC provides free civil legal aid to those living below the poverty level by funding organizations all across the country. LSC funds programs that help low-income people with housing, child support enforcement, family legal matters, consumer protection and bankruptcy, as well as public benefits. In addition to providing financial assistance, LSC also advises and guides its grantees on how best to serve their clientele. Some examples of services include:
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Financial counseling
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Assistance with filing bankruptcy
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Family violence cases can be resolved by helping families
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Representation before administrative bodies
If you're looking for a pro bono attorney, but aren't sure where to start, here are some things to keep in mind :
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Don't waste your time trying to find a lawyer who specializes in your case type. Pro bono attorneys often represent multiple types of clients. Therefore, they will not likely have much experience in working with your particular issue.
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Look for a lawyer who has experience representing low-income clients. This means the lawyer is familiar with how to effectively communicate with this population.
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Ask the lawyer if they have any training in your particular area. You should ensure that the lawyer you choose handles landlord/tenant disputes.
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Find out whether the lawyer is available to take on new clients. Some lawyers are limited to certain types of cases. This means that you may not find one who is willing to take on pro bono clients.
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Be wary of lawyers who claim to specialize in a specific field of law. Many lawyers say they practice in areas outside of their degree but don't know much about the subject matter.
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It is important to ensure that the lawyer has a solid reputation. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Search online for reviews written by clients.