Democrat Chika Anyiam and Republican Lee Finley will face off on November 5 in the race for Place 8 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Republican Michelle Slaughter is one of several incumbents in the field losing in their primaries this cycle.
The seat is one of three seats on the court up for election, in addition to the presiding judge and the 7th seat.
The Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s court of last resort for criminal cases. It automatically hears all cases involving the death penalty, but can choose to hear others as well.
LEE FINLEY
Lee Finley did not return the Star-Telegram’s request to respond to the candidate survey.
CHIKA ANYIAM
Party: Democrat
Age: 57
Campaign website: rightchikaanyiam.com
Best way for voters to reach you: judgechikaanyiam@gmail.com
Occupation: Subdistrict court judge
Education: 1987 – The University of Calabar, Nigeria, LL.B, Honors (Bachelor of Laws); 1988 – The Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, BL (Barrister at Law), admitted to the Nigerian Bar by the Supreme Court of Nigeria; 1997 – Admitted to the Texas Bar by the Texas Supreme Court; 2020, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Have you stood for election before? In 2016, I ran for judge on the Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 2
Mention the highlights of your social involvement. The State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, JL Turner Legal Association, Preston Hollows Democratic Club, Igbo Community Association of Nigeria (ICAN,) Old Orlu Progressive Union (OOPA,) Nkwerre Aborigin’s Union (NAU,) Garland Democratic Club, Metrocrest Democrats
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime, or otherwise involved in a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Two frivolous lawsuits by greedy, incompetent and disgruntled campaign leaders who were fired. I filed a counterclaim and their lawsuits were dismissed.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Lisa Baron, Anthony Lyons, Charles Maduka
Why are you looking for this office? I seek this office because I possess the necessary qualifications to be an effective judge of this court. I will maintain my independence as a judge and rule in accordance with the law, despite any threats of retaliation or pressure from outside influences. From my current role as a judge at a district court and my long career as a trial lawyer, I have extensive experience in criminal law. I believe that equal justice, fairness and impartiality are of utmost importance to provide a favorable forum in which all parties are heard. I am certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, so the parties have confidence in my rulings and understanding of the law. I have never been found ineffective as a trial attorney or reversed as a judge by an appellate court. I understand, interpret and apply the law correctly as the legislator intended. These are qualities I will bring to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
What are your top three policy priorities? I am passionate about equal access to justice, fairness, and the proper interpretation of our Texas laws and Constitution in our criminal justice system. However, due to the ethical restrictions of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, I am prohibited from commenting on public policy issues currently arising or that may in the future come before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and be interpreted refer as rightly or wrongly to my position on the matters mentioned.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)? The Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas’s court of last resort and highest court for criminal cases. It handles death penalty warrants and thousands of subpoenas each year. While I preside over a district court that handles crimes including capital punishment and capital punishment, my opponent has no legal experience. I am certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, awarded to less than 1% of criminal defense attorneys in Texas. Not my opponent. Before becoming a judge, I was a busy trial attorney, handling both misdemeanor and first-degree misdemeanor cases in court and before the jury. The judges in Dallas County consistently voted to keep me on the Indigent Defense Wheel to represent indigent defendants, while my opponent has limited criminal justice experience and was removed from the Collin County Indigent Defense Wheel due to poor performance. These awards distinguish me from my opponent and make me a more qualified candidate for this position.
