Meet the Democrats running for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
Elizabeth Frizell
Occupation: Attorney
Age: 52
Website: Frizell4Judge.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: Criminal District Court 7 Presiding Judge, Felony Court: 2015-17; County Criminal Court 11 Presiding Judge, Family Violence Court: 2007-14; Associate Municipal Court Judge, City of Dallas: 1996-06; Municipal Court Judge, City of Princeton: 2004-06; Municipal Court Judge, City of Lucas: 2000-06; Municipal Court Judge, City of Balch Springs: 1995-06; Candidate for District Attorney, Dallas: 2018
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No.
Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for Court of Criminal Appeals because I’ve experienced too many defendants who are wrongfully convicted and receive trials where the law was not properly applied, but higher courts determined the errors were not reversible. I’ve also seen defendants receive the death penalty for cases that should be life sentences.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
(1) Wrongful convictions (2) Disparate sentencing (3) Death penalty
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I have practiced criminal law for the past 26 years. I am the only candidate in the race who has judicial experience, including holding office as a Criminal District Court Judge. I have tried or presided over more than 200 criminal cases including sexual assault, aggravated robbery, murder and capital murder. I have practiced in both State and Federal court in the Northern District of Texas. I have written appellate briefs and represented defendants in appeals to the Texas Court of Appeals.
Name: Dan Wood
Occupation: Attorney
Age: 64
Website: VoteDanWood.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: Served as Terrell City Councilman and Mayor pro tem, 1980-83; candidate for State Representative District 4, 1985; Democratic nominee for Kaufman County District Attorney, 2002; Democratic nominee for justice, Texas Fifth Court of Appeals, place 2, 2012; Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress, 5th District, 2018; Democratic candidate for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3, 2020.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No.
Why are you seeking this office?
Criminal justice reform is needed. Wrongful convictions and mass incarceration are the result of misguided policies in place since the 1980s. The U.S. has less than 5% of the world population but has more than 20% of the world’s imprisoned population. The court can and must work to identify and correct those policies. The nine court judges have been all Republican for over 20 years and it is upon their watch that the system has failed time and time again. New voices are needed at the table.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
(1) determine what policies, rules of procedure and substantive law changes can be made to stop wrongful convictions and the years long effort to correct those mistakes; (2) work to determine and stop the causes of mass incarceration and the disparate and higher incarceration rates of minorities and the poor; (3) continue work to improve the skills and knowledge of lawyers who represent indigent defendants, provide more resources for that effort and to provide effective assistance of counsel to all.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am the only candidate with the experience and expertise who is ready to serve on the Court of Criminal Appeals. I am board certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I have been lead counsel in more than 100 appellate matters, writing briefs and presenting oral arguments on behalf of clients. A fundamentally different set of skills is required to sit on an appellate court compared to any other trial court position. Work in actual appeals is required. I will bring that experience and skill to the Court.
William Pieratt Demond
William Pieratt Demond did not respond to repeated requests.
This story was originally published February 13, 2020 at 9:19 AM with the headline "Meet the Democrats running for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3."
