Antonio Benavides
Antonio Benavides was a 2016 candidate for the 339th District Court in Texas.[1] He was defeated in the primary election on March 1, 2016.
Education
Benavides earned his A.A. in political science and his B.S. in criminal justice from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He later received his J.D. from Texas Southern University.[2]
Career
Benavides served in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 1992. He started his Houston-based legal practice in 2002.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Benavides participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies him to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Nueces County District Attorney's Office---Prosecutor
Over 10 years representing criminal defendants Approximately 50 criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor) tried to a jury[3][4] |
” |
When asked why he was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I believe I am the best qualified person to begin working towards making necessary changes that will benefit all parties involves with the 339th Criminal District Court.[3][4] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who he admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Judge Michael McSpadden[3][4] | ” |
When asked about his primary concern regarding today's judicial system in his state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | In the context of our criminal justice system, I believe our courts are overburdened with cases waiting to have their day in court. Most cases are reset on a monthly basis as the case is being worked on by both the Prosecutor and the Defense. Most of the resets are unnecessary, as very little is actually accomplished these settings. Instead, the cases should be given time to be worked by both sides and then one or two meetings should be enough to determine how to dispose of the case, whether by dismissal, plea or trial.[3][4] | ” |
Elections
2016
Texas held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on March 1, 2016. A primary runoff election was held on May 24, 2016, for any seat where the top vote recipient did not receive a majority of the primary vote.[5] Mary McFaden defeated Antonio Benavides in the Texas 339th District Court Republican primary.[1]
| Texas 339th District Court, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Mary McFaden |
82.67% | 180,150 |
| Antonio Benavides | 17.33% | 37,756 |
| Total Votes | 217,906 | |
| Source: Harris County, Texas, "Republican Party Cumulative Report-Unofficial," accessed March 2, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
The judges of the Texas District Courts are chosen in partisan elections. They serve four-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to continue serving.[6]
Though Texas is home to more than 400 district courts, the courts are grouped into nine administrative judicial regions. Each region is overseen by a presiding judge who is appointed by the governor to a four-year term. According to the state courts website, the presiding judge may be a "regular elected or retired district judge, a former judge with at least 12 years of service as a district judge, or a retired appellate judge with judicial experience on a district court."[7]
Qualifications
To serve on the district courts, a judge must be:
- a U.S. citizen;
- a resident of Texas;
- licensed to practice law in the state;
- between the ages of 25 and 75;*[8]
- a practicing lawyer and/or state judge for at least four years; and
- a resident of his or her respective judicial district for at least two years.[6]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[6]
Endorsements
2016
Benavides received the endorsement of the Mexican American Bar Association ahead of the Republican primary.[9]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Benavides for Judge, "About the Candidate," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Antonio Benavides's Responses," February 12, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Texas," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Texas Courts Online, "Administrative Judicial Regions," accessed September 12, 2014
- ↑ Texas State Historical Association, "Judiciary," accessed September 12, 2014
- ↑ Benavides for Judge, "Endorsements," accessed February 19, 2016
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas
