At Texans for Cash Free Courts, we are proud Texans who think Texas is the best state in the United States. However, out of 39 states that at one time selected judges by partisan election, only six still do so today.
We are disappointed to be one of the six states that still tolerate money polluting our justice system, and we are discouraged by members of the Texas Legislature who defend a justice system where judges are asking for money from the very people who have cases before their courts.
Unfortunately, some of the big donors to judges are also big donors to the members of the Legislature. Sadly, if we follow the money, we believe we understand the game, and it's ordinary Texans who are the victims of this game.
When billion-dollar clients to the nine big donor law firms win 5.4 times more than regular Texans, how can we call the system a “justice system”?
We invite other proud Texans to join us in this effort of reform. Individually, it is difficult to be heard, but standing together, we can have a Texas Justice System we can all be proud of.
Texans For Cash Free Courts
Judicial Reform Critical in 2021
The numbers don't lie. The Justice System in Texas is broken and has been for decades.
It's a textbook case of conflict of interest. 20% of all money raised by judicial candidates comes from nine major law firms with a long roster of billion-dollar clients.
If you happen to be one of those billion-dollar clients, your odds of winning a case before the Texas Supreme Court is nearly 50%. Those are odds any gambler would take.
If you happen to be a regular Texas citizen not represented by one of these firms, your odds of winning are a mere 8.7%.
Something else that just plain stinks? Many of our Texas Supreme Court Justices came from one of those nine firms and some go back to one of those firms after leaving the bench.
Although there's nothing illegal about what's happening, there's something inherently wrong with a system that appears to unfairly favor people who can make big donations.
That's why Texans For Cash Free Courts is leading the charge to change the way our Justices are chosen.
It would take an amendment to the Texas State Constitution, which means it would take courage from our lawmakers. Courage to let Texans decide for themselves. Courage to stop the scales of justice from continuing to tip in favor of big corporations. Courage to have our Supreme Court Justices appointed on merit rather than elected by money.
The Numbers
$3.2 M
Total contributions to Texas Supreme Court Justices over an 11-year period from the nine law firms.
47%
Chance of winning your case before the Texas Supreme Court if you're a billion dollar client represented by one of the nine law firms.
8.7%
Chance of winning your case before the Texas Supreme Court if you are a regular Texas citizen not represented by one of the nine law firms.
Number of years Texas has been in the spotlight for having an unfair Justice System that favors big money and big business.
33
Number of states in the U.S. to elect State Supreme Court Justices in partisan elections rather than appointing them on a merit-based system.
6
Information compiled through research of donations made from 2006 to 2016 and petitions for review filed from 2006 to 2015.
These Cases Illustrate What Can
Happen to Regular Texans
Joab Camacho
15-year-old Joab Camacho was killed when a Whirlpool dryer in his family's home caught fire in the early morning hours while the family slept. The young boy was trapped in his bedroom and unable to escape the smoke and flames.
A trial court awarded Joab's family $10 million.
An appeals court upheld the verdict.
The Texas Supreme Court reversed the lower court's verdict and the Camachos received nothing.
Amount donated to Texas Supreme Court Justices by Whirlpool's lawyers during Whirlpool v. Camacho:
$428,616
Talmadge Waldrip
Talmadge Waldrip was severely injured when a U-Haul truck he rented rolled over him after the parking brake failed. Waldrip's pelvis was crushed, leaving him unable to walk. His injuries kept him virtually bedridden until his death.
A trial court awarded Talmadge's family $84 million.
An appeals court remitted the award to $43 million.
The Texas Supreme Court reversed the case and the Waldrips received nothing.
Amount donated to Texas Supreme Court Justices by U-Haul's lawyers during U-Haul v. Waldrip:
$219,575