Pay Increases for Judges??

Texas judges should be paid more, chief justice says: Salaries need to be competitive with private practice, Jefferson says in State of the Judiciary speech

During a day and age where the economy is so very tight, it is difficult for the public to hear that someone is getting a payraise when they, themselves, would feel that the most deserving person is themselves -- especially, when it is hard enough to get on their feet and work towards a better future.

Are the Judges deserving of a raise?
Absolutely, YES. Judges may seem like they have a glamourous, plush job; however, in reality, the truth of the matter is that they put in long, gruelling hours to attempt to ensure that justice is served. If the public would just get along and no one did any crime, then perhaps that would be true; however, we very much live in an imperfect world.

Should they be given raises right now?
Until the budgets can be balanced a little better and funds being given to other deserving agencies, such as the DVSA (domestic violence & sexual assault) shelters. One shelter, Safe Place, had to recently completely close its doors to one of their buildings, while another DVSA shelter received no grant money to house for overflowing resident needs as well as male victims and their families of DVSA. It hardly seems right to upgrade the salaries of a few while there remains a huge demand for agency fundings throughout the State of Texas.

In short, I suppose that, while the Judges are very deserving, the State of Texas must look at figuring a way to not cut more services than they have done in the past and focus upon the future rebuilding of the State of Texas' economy.




FYI: THE ARTICLE published in the Austin American-Statesman on 02/23/05...

By Stephen Scheibal

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

For those who follow such things, Wednesday's State of the Judiciary speech was something of a landmark.

Not only was the speaker someone besides Tom Phillips — the former chief justice stepped down last year after nearly 17 years presiding over the state Supreme Court — but the speech didn't even touch on one of Phillips' longest-held political gripes: the way Texas elects its judges.

Instead, new Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson argued for a pay raise for judges at every level.

"Texas is losing judges at all levels of the judiciary due, at least in part, to salaries that have not kept pace with the times," Jefferson said. Referring to judges who have recently departed the bench, he added, "Let us admit to ourselves that the judiciary suffers from the loss of their expertise, integrity and experience."

Jefferson painted a bleak picture of the judiciary. He noted that judges can make far more money taking another job, either at a law firm or in a federal court.

He also warned that low pay encourages high turnover. That leaves inexperienced judges to handle the work and risks needless delays or mistakes, he said. It also exposes defendants and plaintiffs to the possibility of facing a judge more worried about how a decision looks on a résumé than whether it is just.

"A transitory judiciary is inevitable, I am sad to say, if a judge can serve only as long as his or her savings permit," Jefferson said.

Talking to reporters after the speech, Jefferson said proposals for judicial pay raises run from $40 million to more than $75 million. He also cited a study by the Texas Judicial Council, which calls for boosting judges' salaries by about 37 percent.

Rounding out his pitch to the lawmakers who will set salaries in their budget, Jefferson touched bases that should appeal to nearly everyone. He quoted not only Texas revolutionary hero Sam Houston but American Revolutionary hero and former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. He cited business studies showing that companies place a high premium on a competent, stable judiciary.

And as he praised state officials for their support in his cause, Jefferson singled out both Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn. The two, who may face off in next year's gubernatorial GOP primary, have seldom found each other on the same side of an issue of late.

Jefferson also noted the judiciary's efforts in making courts more technologically nimble through electronic filings and Internet broadcasts of hearings. He commended efforts to expand access to courts, as well as work to make sure innocent people are not convicted of crimes.

Jefferson generally avoided comments about the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which has come under national scrutiny over questions of whether people whose convictions the court upheld were innocent. He did credit judges in that court for encouraging the investigation of innocence claims and providing representation for poor defendants.

"It is vital not only that we convict the guilty, but that we acquit the innocent," Jefferson said. "Error, unfortunately, is a human affliction."