New Study Exposes How Texas Criminal Justice System Values Finality Over Accuracy

Photograph by Stephanie Ezcurra

In my post-conviction practice, I often feel like my clients don’t get a fair shake. Evidentiary hearings are rare, and the trial judge always seems to sign off on the State’s proposed findings of fact, which are critical when appealing an adverse ruling.

A recent study of Harris County death-penalty cases by Jim Marcus and the UT Capital Punishment Clinic confirms what I’ve suspected from experience: our criminal justice system values finality over accuracy. Judges are literally executing people without affording them the opportunity to fully present their claims. And the judges are pretty open about their bias, as they “rubber stamped” the State’s version of events in 95% of the cases studied. In fact, 34 out of the 40 judges adopted every proposed finding of fact presented by the State – that’s an astounding figure because it’s impossible for the State to be right 100% of the time.

In my practice, I’ve encountered the same difficulties in getting a hearing for my clients. Judges simply don’t want to re-open old cases, even though wrongful convictions are common. At a writ conference that I attended a few years ago, one judge described the general judicial attitude towards writs: they don’t like them. Why? Because writs open up old matters on their dockets, and judges don’t like seeing those cause numbers from a decade ago popping up. Also, due to the large number of pro se writs being filed by incarcerated inmates, the judges figure that if they start hearing every claim raised on every writ, they won’t be able to devote sufficient time to their trial docket.

For these reasons, it’s vital to have an experienced attorney present the writ in a manner that grabs the judge’s attention and shows the judge that the conviction is a gross injustice in light of the new evidence presented in the writ. However, even with a quality attorney, judges far too often deny evidentiary hearings and resolve the contested issues on the basis of affidavits. This deprives attorneys of the ability to cross-examine adverse witnesses, which is one of the only meaningful ways of uncovering the truth.

The new study is a groundbreaking because it provides the first concrete evidence of the widespread judicial bias against writ applicants in Texas’ criminal justice system, effectively denying them procedural due process. This issue can be litigated on appeal to the federal system when a defendant’s writ application is unfairly denied by Texas courts, and the study can serve as proof supporting a claim that Texas’ writ system violates the constitutional right to due process. 

All this said, awareness is the first step to change. This study brings to light an important injustice that we as a society must face. If our justice system values truth, then it must provide everyone an opportunity for a full and fair hearing. Liberty is too important for shortcuts.

If you do find yourself or a loved one wrongfully convicted, call Chris Perri Law at (512) 269-0260 for a free consultation to learn about your options. If you are my client, I will do everything in my power to zealously fight for your rights amidst a flawed system.