Does Texas Need Judicial Reform?

HOUSTON - Texas's history is full of colorful judges. Each year the State Commission of Judicial Conduct receives about a thousand complaints against state judges.

Before Judge Donald Jackson, there was federal Judge Samuel Kent, impeached on charges he covered up sex assaults on two female employees, and state Judge Gary Block, accused of inappropriately touching an attorney in his chambers at the Harris County courthouse.

"We have high expectations of our judiciary. I think they generally live up to those expectations, but they're human like everyone else," said James Alfini, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law.

Alfini co-wrote the book, "Judicial Conduct and Ethics." He doesn't necessarily think one accused judge gives the entire system a black eye.

"I think there's much more transparency in the state systems than 10, 20, or 30 years ago largely because states have adopted judicial conduct commissions," said Alfini.

Texas is one of the few states that still elects judges, a process that's been rife with controversy for decades.

"The problem with the elective system is it gives the appearance at least that judges are not going to be quite as impartial in their rulings as we'd want them to be," said Alfini.

It's safe to say neither Jackson nor his accuser wanted their personal lives to be aired in open court, but Alfini says transparency could help restore any faith lost.

"It at least shows that even a judge, a very powerful public official, can be held accountable."

Even if cleared criminally, Judge Jackson could still be removed from office if he's found to have violated the Code of Judicial Conduct.