William E. Moody

            Judge, 34^th District Court

            56 years of age

            Resident of the West Side

 

 

Answers:

 

1.              Judicial Campaign Finance Reform.

 

2.              In most cases El Paso voters have been able to select the most competent candidate and where they have not they have removed those Judges at later elections.

 

 

3.              21 years as a District Judge, 11 years as Assistant District Attorney, 10 years as Administrative Judge of the Region or El Paso and 2 campaigns for the Texas Supreme court.

 

4.              By trying felony and capital murder cases.

5.              I agree with the movement. One level of trial court above J.P. level is and has been the national trend.

 

6.              Recusal is a difficult topic but Judges should clearly recuse themselves where either clear conflicts or the appearance of conflict exists. They should also disclose any special relationships between themselves and the attorneys or clients in the case. I have done this routinely for many years. If the attorney or client feels uncomfortable with me hearing the case under those circumstances I allow them to select another Judge.

 

 

7.              Access to justice particularly on the civil side has never been equal but the El Paso Bar and Legal Aid has provided as much assistance as possible to indigents in civil cases. In the criminal area El Paso has a unique division of authority in defending the indigent defendants. The private bar and the Public Defenders Office share the appoints roughly 50/50 and have done a remarkably fine job, one that has gained state recognition. I was one of the first Judges to support the creation of the El Paso County Public Defenders Office and remain an enthusiastic supporter.