Curt Brancheau
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Curt Brancheau is the judge for the Texas 84th District Court in Texas.[1] Brancheau first won the seat in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Education
Brancheau earned his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from Texas Tech University.[2]
Career
Brancheau was a trial attorney following his graduation from law school. He became the assistant district attorney for Texas District 84 in 2012.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Brancheau's campaign website listed the following themes for his 2016 campaign:
Proven Trial Experience
| “ |
Put succinctly, this position needs to know how to govern a trial court. Every case filed with the 84th District Court has the potential to be decided in a trial, either to the court or to a jury. As a solo private practice attorney I had a successful run in jury trials. From child custody cases and divorces, to criminal defense work and now as a felony prosecutor, I have tried multiple cases to a final jury verdict. I lost one criminal jury trial as a solo practitioner, my client received 40 years on a DWI, and I learned how to lose with as much grace as is possible. As a prosecutor, I have not lost a case with one defendant receiving 75 years for possession of methamphetamine and another life without parole for murdering a child; I also know how to win. Having been on both sides of a conflict, I know the intricate subtleties of a case as well as the broader process. From the first steps of search warrants and investigation, to grand jury indictment, through trial and the the complex appeal process. I know these processes inside and out because, from both sides of a case, I've been there. Presiding over a trial requires correct, informed, but quick decisions. Certain things cannot be "unheard" by a jury. When mistakes happen at trial, both parties can lose time, money, and a criminal defendant could potentially lose years of his life to a mistake at trial. Mistakes at the trial level also costs taxpayers money in terms of housing jail inmates awaiting re-trial, summoning new juries, and adding time to an already crowded docket. From the minute details of evidence to the grander closing jury arguments, I've done them. The 84th District needs a judge who has tried cases, appealed them, won, lost, and been everywhere in between. I believe I have the proven trial experience needed to serve as 84th District Judge. [3] |
” |
| —Curt Brancheau (2016), [4] | ||
Committed to Justice and Integrity
| “ |
Integrity is the basis of our system. We require people to testify under an oath to God to tell the truth. We have people swear to God that their representation to the court is true. Without insisting on truth and honesty in each phase of the judicial system, the system becomes worthless. For me, integrity is making each decision in my life with the knowledge that God is continuously watching even when I make decisions alone. This absolute commitment to integrity is essential to the office of the 84th District Judge. Justice is an idea that each person who comes before the court is treated with impartiality, honesty, and fairness. Justice is knowing that just because you can do something, doesn't necessarily mean that you should. As a district attorney, I took an oath to do justice and, as a Judge, that oath becomes paramount to the fair resolution of conflict between parties. I feel that every person who comes before the 84th District Court should come before the Court as the constitution intended it, clean of any preconceived notions or ideas as to what a person is, has done, or who their family is. If elected, I will treat the position of 84th District Judge with the respect and esteem needed to maintain the integrity and justice of the bench without falter. |
” |
| —Curt Brancheau (2016), [5] | ||
Conservative Republican Values
| “ |
I was raised with a commitment to hard work, family values, strong local communities and the belief that anyone can succeed with enough effort. I believe that we have a duty to help our fellow citizens in our community but not to enable sloth or bad behavior. When I began to represent the citizens of the 84th district as a district attorney, I was overjoyed at the effect I could have on our community as a public servant. Each day that I go to work, I am trying to make our community a safer one for my wife, my children, and each of your family members. To be able to help someone with a substance abuse problem through court ordered treatment is a great feeling. Alternatively, to be able to sentence a violent criminal to the penitentiary is also a great feeling. I believe both of these decisions, in the end, are in the best interest of our community. When making decisions as a Judge, the well being of our communities will always be of the utmost importance. Within each facet of my life, in both work and my personal life, I believe people should be held accountable for their actions. If elected Judge, I will continue to hold people accountable for their treatment of our community and make decisions with the entire community in mind. I am also the only candidate for the 84th District Judge to have never voted for a Democrat, period. I believe in the core Republican values that have made me who I am today. If elected 84th District Judge, I will do my best to continue to place these values at the forefront of every decision made. [3] |
” |
| —Curt Brancheau (2016), [6] | ||
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.[7] Curt Brancheau defeated Craig Jones in the Texas 84th District Court Republican primary.[1]
| Texas 84th District Court, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Curt Brancheau |
56.09% | 2,684 |
| Craig Jones | 43.91% | 2,101 |
| Total Votes | 4,785 | |
| Source: NewsChannel 10, "Hutchinson County Ballot," March 1, 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.[8]
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."[9]
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;*[10]
- 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.[8]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[8]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Curt W. Brancheau for 84th District Judge, "About Curt W. Brancheau," accessed February 15, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Curt W. Brancheau for 84th District Judge, "Proven Trial Experience," accessed February 15, 2016
- ↑ Curt W. Brancheau for 84th District Judge, "Committed to Justice and Integrity," accessed February 15, 2016
- ↑ Curt W. Brancheau for 84th District Judge, "Conservative Republican Values," accessed February 15, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 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
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
