Reference no: EM133664869
The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch Discussion Topic For this week's discussion, choose between Prompt A OR B, below. The discussion is based on Chapter 9 reading. A. Consider the Texas system of electing judges. Texas is one of only seven states that elect their judges in partisan elections (meaning that someone runs for a judicial office as a Democrat or Republican). In most states, judges are either appointed by the governor or elected in nonpartisan elections (nonpartisan means not affiliated with a political party).
Based on chapter reading, and in your own words, answer the following questions. Hint: See section "Critiques of the Selection Process of the Texas Judiciary". Do you think that partisanship (electing judges to the bench in Texas as either "Republican" or "Democrat") impacts the fairness and effectiveness of decisions judges will make? Why or why not? Explain and provide at least one example from the text. See the section "Critiques of the Selection Process of Texas Judiciary". Besides partisanship, what is another critique of the Texas Judiciary? For example, "Role of Campaign Spending." Choose one critique and explain why this is a potential issue. Use an example or evidence provided in the text. In your opinion, are reforms needed? If so, what might Texas do differently? Here you can cite outside sources, this is optional. B.
Based on Chapter 9 reading and the section titled "Inequities in the System", consider the inequities that are shown to exist in the Texas justice system. "Inequities" mean that there are differences in treatment and outcomes for certain groups, in this case, in the judicial system in Texas. Based on chapter reading, and in your own words, answer the following questions. Define "disproportionality" and "disparity." Explain in your own words, what is the difference between the two? Provide an example. Based on "Inequities in the System", explain at least one of the challenges facing minorities within the Texas judicial system. For example, see "Disparate Interactions With Police and Sentencing". Provide at least one evidence-based example from chapter reading to back up your explanation. In your opinion, are reforms needed? If so, what might Texas do differently? Here you can cite outside sources, this is optional.