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J. R. Molina's Positions and Views on These Issues:
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No Responses |
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General: (political statement of goals, objectives, views, philosophies) |
Texas has TWO Supreme Courts. One processes appeals of CIVIL cases only. The other Supreme Court is named the TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS and it processes only appeals of CRIMINAL cases and ALL DEATH PENALTY Cases. This is a State Wide Court and this is a State Wide Election.
J. R. Molina is the Democratic Party’s Candidate for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. In 2004, for the same office, J. R. received more than 2.9 Million votes.
* 34 Years Attorney Experience
* 29 Years Board Certified in Criminal Law
* Former State Prosecutor, 1974-79, Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas
* Former Municipal Court Judge
* Prosecuted & Defended Multiple Capital/Death Penalty Cases
* University of Texas. B. A., J.D.
J. R. Molina has what we need in times like this: EXPERIENCE.
The other Party may have money, but money just can’t buy EXPERIENCE.
J. R. MOLINA is the most qualified candidate for this position because:
He has practiced criminal law for thirty-four years as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He has prosecuted and defended multiple capital cases involving the death penalty. He has filed appellate briefs for the State of Texas and for defendants. He has been Board Certified in Criminal Law for twenty-seven years. He has tried more than two hundred fifty jury trials and thousands of non-jury trials. His experience in the law can well serve the people of the State of Texas.
What changes, if any, would you like to see made to the administration of the death penalty in Texas?
Extreme care should be taken in death penalty cases. The national experience reveals that at times innocent people have been convicted in capital cases. Therefore, the most diligent process of these cases is necessary so that the public may have confidence in our justice system. An exhaustive, expansive and meticulous effort by the prosecution and defense, as well as effective appellate review of these capital cases can produce a more fair system.
AN EFFECTIVE APPELLATE REVIEW IS NECESSARY BECAUSE:
*The present Court of Criminal Appeals approved a death sentence even though the Defendant's lawyer slept during the trial. Burdine v. State of Texas
*The present Court of Criminal Appeals approved a Defendant's death sentence that was obtained by using racially biased evidence. Saldano v. State of Texas.
*The present Court of Criminal Appeals approved the Death sentence of Ernest Willis, who was finally released in October, 2004, by order of a Federal Court, from death row after spending 17 years incarcerated.
If you wish to make a campaign contribution, send checks to J. R. MOLINA CAMPAIGN, 1301 North Houston, Fort Worth, Texas 76106 or call 817-624-4700 for credit card payment.
Biography:
J. R. Molina was born in Round Rock, Texas, December 25, Day, 1944, born at home in that small Williamson County municipality. The parents were Arnulfo Ortega Molina and Angelita Elisa Rodriguez Molina, the father a mechanic by trade and the mother a homemaker for a family of eight children. Most of J.R.'s schooling took place in that then rural setting. Sizzling summers were spent exploring Brushy Creek and picking cotton on nearby farms in Hutto, Taylor, Phlugerville and others. At age 17, school was temporarily left behind at Round Rock High and the United States Air Force became home. J. R., while at Nouasser Air Base near Casablanca, Morocco, obtained a GED equivalency certificate. There were classes at the University of Maryland Europe Campus in Morocco. Later a graduation from the United States Air Force Europe High School in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1965. After four years in the U.S. military in Morocco, Spain, Germany and Greece, college studies were commenced at St. Edward's University in Austin in 1966. The years 1967 through 1969 were at the University of Texas in Austin. After receiving a B.A. degree in August of 1969, J. R. began attending UT's Law School some 10 days later in September, 1969. In December of 1971, J. R. earned a Juris Doctor (J. D.) degree.
On April 20, 1972, private practice was started in San Marcos, Texas and J. R. was also appointed Municipal Court Judge in 1973; in 1974 J. R. was appointed an Assistant Criminal District Attorney for Tarrant County, in Fort Worth. For five years there was service in that public office representing the state government in prosecuting juvenile and misdemeanor cases, but most of his workload was in felony cases. In 1979, J. R. returned to private practice in Fort Worth. Career work has been as a trial and appellate attorney in the courts of Tarrant County and the appellate courts of Texas. J. R. Molina has three children: Justin, 20, Rose, 19, Elisa Wren, 11. |
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Personal: (Gender, age, marital status, spouse's name and age, children's name and
ages, home town, current residence) |
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Male; Age:61; Divorced; Children:Justin, 22: Rose, 21; Elisa Wren, 14; Place of Birth:Round Rock, Texas; Home Town:Round Rock hometown, Resident of Burleson |
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Education: (times and places of schools, colleges, major, degrees, activities, sports) |
Round Rock public schools, 1st through 11th grade. 1951-62.
GED Certificate, 1963.
Graduate, United State Air Force High School, Wiesbaden, Germany, 1964 St. Edwards University, 1966-67, no degree.
University of Texas-Austin, 1966-69, B.A. University of Texas, Law School, 1969-71, Juris Doctor (J.D.). |
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Profession: (profession and work experience outside politics) |
Private law prctice, 1972-74
Municipal Court Judge, San Marcos, Texas, 1973-74
Assistant District Attorney, Tarrant County, Texas, 1974-79
Private law practice, 1979 to present Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 29 years. Member and Fellow of the College of the State Bar of Texas for approxitmately 12 years |
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Military: (branch, years of service, active duty experience, highest rank, medals,
honors, discharge date and type) |
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United States Air Force ; Years of Service:1962-66 ; Active Duty:Served at US Air Bases in Morocco, Spain, Germany and at the American Consulate in Thessaloniki, Greece. ; Highest Rank:Sgt. ; Discharge:Honorable |
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Civic: (past and present organizations, charities involvement) |
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No Response |
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Political: (dates and titles of previously held political offices) |
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No Response |
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Religion: (current and past religious affiliations, beliefs) |
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Catholic |
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Accomplishments: (significant accomplishments, awards, achievements) |
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No Response |