NCJ Number
119183
Journal
Judicature Volume: 73 Issue: 1 Dated: (June-July 1989) Pages: 34-39
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A questionnaire mailed to all 472 district and appellate judges in Texas in March 1987 sought information regarding judges' perceptions and preferences for judicial selection methods.
Abstract
Responses came from 341 judges (72.2 percent) and indicated no consensus on a method of judicial selection. The judges prefer four devices: nonpartisan elections, the current elective systems, partisan elections with longer terms, and a proposed merit plan. However, no method received overwhelming support. Judges perceptions of selection methods vary according to several factors: their court, the means of attaining their current position, their party affiliation, their years of experience as a judge, and the size of their city. The preferences differed significantly at the .05 level by courts, position acquisition, and party affiliation. However, support for the merit plan increased with years of experience and city size. Findings suggest that the professional, political, and demographic factors that contribute to judicial attitudes in Texas are also present in other States' judiciaries. Tables and recommendations for further research.