Caitlin Howell
Caitlin Howell was a 2016 candidate for the Bexar County Court at Law in Texas.[1] She was defeated in the primary election on March 1, 2016.
Education
Howell earned her bachelor's degree in political science and history from Trinity University. She later received her J.D. from the American University Washington College of Law.[2]
Career
Howell is an attorney in private practice.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Howell answered the following questions from Out in SA in December 2015:
What would you do differently from your opponent, who is the incumbent?
| “ |
I would like to have the court take both Criminal and Civil cases to help the county manage the increasing civil caseload. In addition, county courts are often the first line of defense, the first time people will have any exposure to the criminal justice system. San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the country. Bexar County is home to over 1.8 million people. It houses a number of beneficial resources that are currently being underutilized or ignored by the county courts. These are resources that could easily help ensure that people not only complete their probation successfully, but also that their first trip to court is their last. These are organizations like Chrysalis, which assists people from when they are first arrested to navigate the system and complete probation; RUI, which provides people rides home and helps get their vehicle there safely; and the Rape Crisis center, which provides a breadth of services far beyond just rape counseling. I’ve spoken to representatives of these and other organizations, and I’m as excited about getting them involved as they are in their willingness to support the Bexar County community. [3] |
” |
| —Caitlin Howell (2016), [2] | ||
Why do you think you're the best candidate?
| “ |
Throughout my life and career, I’ve demonstrated a commitment to ensuring equal and meaningful justice regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or economic status. The county courts need someone with the experience and open-mindedness to effectuate real change that helps every member of the community have access to the equality and justice he or she is entitled to under the law. The Supreme Court has recently recognized that, under the United States Constitution, this equality is even broader than courts had previously recognized. Bexar County needs judges that are willing to not just recognize these rights on paper, but through practice by enforcement. [3] |
” |
| —Caitlin Howell (2016), [2] | ||
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.[4] Incumbent John Longoria defeated Caitlin Howell in the Bexar County Court at Law Democratic primary for Number 5.[1]
| Bexar County Court at Law (Number 5), Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 John Longoria Incumbent |
67.74% | 61,359 |
| Caitlin Howell | 32.26% | 29,220 |
| Total Votes | 90,579 | |
| Source: Bexar County, Texas, "2016 Joint Primary Elections," accessed March 2, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
Judges of the county courts are elected in partisan elections by the county they serve and serve four-year terms, with vacancies filled by a vote of the county commissioners.[5]
Qualifications
To serve on a county court, a judge must:[5]
- be at least 25 years old;
- be a resident of his or her respective county for at least two years; and
- have practiced law or served as a judge for at least four years preceding the election.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Out In SA, "Interview: Caitlin Howell, candidate for County Court 5," December 23, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 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
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for Office," accessed January 14, 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
