Between court appearances and everything else yesterday, I did not get a chance to congratulate Craig Watkins on winning his second term as District Attorney for Dallas County. Watkins survived a fairly nasty election and some rather ridiculous suggestions from his opponent, Danny Clancy. Clancy, for example, based Watkins for not trying cases, but apparently fails to grasp the concept that the District Attorney in big counties does not try cases. In fact, I've had some Assistant District Attorneys in other large counties make it clear to me that the last thing they want is their elected official, who is supposed to be the big picture guy, in the courtroom instead of making the global decisions.
Watkins has done great things for Dallas County and the State of Texas. His Conviction Integrity Unit has set an example for what the Code of Criminal Procedure requires of all prosecutors, to see that justice is done. I don't venture into Dallas County courtrooms very often, but it's good to know that Watkins is still keeping the ship on course over there. And yes, that is despite some of his recent missteps, which Grits for Breakfast has covered well.
On a separate election note, sympathies to Keith Hampton for losing his bid to become the newest judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. It is clearly time for change on that court, given the recent news and events, but the State of Texas was apparently not ready for that change to be in his direction. At least, no change in the democratic direction during this election year. Keith has done great things for the criminal justice system, for his clients, and for the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. The Court's loss will continue to be his clients' gain.
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