Texas House Bill HJR20

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the governor from appointing certain prosecuting attorneys to fill a vacancy of a district judge.

Impact

If passed, HJR20 would significantly change the composition of district judges by preventing certain prosecuting attorneys from transitioning into judicial roles shortly after their tenure as prosecutors. This could lead to a broader range of candidates considered for judgeships, who have not recently been involved in prosecutorial roles. Supporters of this amendment argue that it would enhance the integrity of the judicial system and maintain public trust in judicial impartiality.

Summary

HJR20 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at altering the manner in which vacancies for district judges are filled in Texas. Specifically, the bill seeks to prohibit the governor from appointing individuals to these positions if they have served as prosecuting attorneys for criminal cases in the two years preceding the appointment. This regulation is intended to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest or perceived biases in the appointment process for district judges.

Contention

Some notable points of contention concerning HJR20 revolve around the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches of government. Opponents may argue that this amendment could limit the governor's ability to make appointments swiftly and effectively in times of need. Additionally, there are concerns that by restricting a pool of qualified candidates, this could lead to delays in filling judicial vacancies, thereby impacting the overall efficiency of the court system. Proponents believe that the amendment is necessary to safeguard the judiciary from potential improprieties linked to prosecutorial influence.