African-American women are running for judicial positions in Harris County, Texas. They first met at a Democratic Party gathering on January 18. They agreed to run if given the chance. You may be surprised at their candidacies, but they are all capable. You will learn why they are the most qualified candidates to fill the Harris County judgeship vacancies. First, you must understand who these women actually are.
Women judges
Harris County voters elected 19 African American women to the judicial post in 2018. Many of the new judges met for the first-time at a Democratic Party gathering. They are hopeful that their presence will bring about a change in racial inequality. Women judges have an extraordinary opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives and livelihoods 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 "Black Girl Magic" campaign. The women in the ad campaign portrayed by the ads were all Harris County judges, including two who lost their bids to serve on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Both women retained their judges' current jobs, but they made sure to include the voices of their peers in their campaigns.
Pandemic-induced frustrations
The list of inmates facing court proceedings in Harris County is long, and most of them are facing violent charges. In certain cases, the county has placed an inmate's case on hold. The state and county elected officials considered releasing inmates to stop the spread of the pandemic virus. In a virtual court hearing it was revealed that only seven inmates of the 60 had been released.
The recent pandemic and COVID era policies have also led to an increase in criminal case backlogs. 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 incoming felonies
According to Harris County's District Attorney's Office of Harris County the county has accumulated a backlog of incoming felonies. The backlog is almost five-years long and now includes 135,000 cases. This number is more than you would expect considering the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, COVID-19 and other pandemics. Although the backlog is expected to decrease, The Forward Times will continue to investigate how law enforcement agencies are cooperating with the courts and how much resources are being spent on closing the backlog.
Harris County leaders approved a resolution requesting that the Texas Legislature create a new district criminal court to help reduce the backlog. Local prosecutors have been stretched by the backlog. Kim Ogg, District attorney, said that her office prioritised cases involving violent crimes. Jose Hidalgo the District Attorney called the backlog a "urgent 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 elected the county's Justice of Peace. Prior to this, she was a federal, state, district, and JP judge. With a budget of more than 1.3 million dollars, she oversees over 20,000 cases per year, including civil and criminal matters, bench and jury trials, traffic offenses, hot check and probable cause hearings, and truancy court.
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 an active member of Lakewood Church, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
FAQ
How do lawyers get paid for their work?
By billing clients at an hourly fee, lawyers are paid for their time spent on legal matters. The complexity of the matter and how experienced a lawyer is will affect the hourly rate.
Because of their years of experience, most lawyers charge more for an hour because they are highly skilled.
A less experienced lawyer may bill lower hourly rates as he/she learns how to handle cases more efficiently.
Some lawyers are compensated for handling particular types of cases. In some cases, lawyers representing criminal defense may be eligible for bonuses if their case is successful.
How can a lawyer earn 7 figures?
A lawyer must be familiar with how the law impacts business transactions. They need to know how businesses work and what makes them tick. This knowledge allows them to advise clients on legal matters from start to finish.
They should be able to negotiate contracts, and ensure that all sides are happy with the final result. Also, lawyers must be proficient at writing court documents and briefs. Furthermore, lawyers should be able deal with people and build connections.
To earn $7,000 an hour, you must be able to communicate well with colleagues, clients, employees, or customers. To be able to effectively manage time and meet deadlines, you'll also need to be efficient with your time. It is important to be organized and able multitask.
How much does it cost for law school to attend?
Tuition for law school can vary from one school to another, but typically costs between $50,000 and $60,000. Financial aid packages are offered by law schools to students of low income. Students with federal loans (including Stafford Loans) may be eligible for loan forgiveness after graduation.
What's the difference between a paralegal or a legal assistant?
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. Both types of professionals help attorneys complete their workload.
Statistics
- 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)
- Just 59.2 percent of 2015 law school grads held full-time, long-term jobs as lawyers 10 months after graduation, according to data from the American Bar Association (ABA). (rasmussen.edu)
- 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 Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
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How To
How to make an estate plan with a lawyer
A will is an important legal document determining who gets what after you die. It contains instructions about how to pay debts and other financial obligations.
A will should be drafted by a solicitor (lawyer) and signed by two witnesses. You can choose not to have a will if you want to leave everything to someone else without restrictions on how they use the money. 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. The trustees can sell your home or distribute the proceeds to your beneficiaries if you do not have a will. They may charge a fee to manage your estate.
There are three main reasons that you need to create a will. It protects your loved ones from being left behind. It protects your loved ones from being left without a will. It makes it easier for your executor, the person you have appointed to carry out your wishes.
First, contact a lawyer to discuss your options. The cost of a will depends on whether you're single, married, or widowed. Solicitors can also help with other matters like:
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Gifts to family members
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The choice of guardians for children
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Lending money
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Managing your affairs while you are alive
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Avoiding probate
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How to avoid capital gains Tax when selling assets
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What happens if your home isn't sold before you die?
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Who pays for funeral expenses?
Either write the will yourself, or have a relative or friend help you. However, if you sign a will on behalf of someone else, it cannot be changed.