As Justice Nathan Hecht retires as chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, it’s important to reflect on his remarkable contributions to the Texas judicial system. A recent editorial from the Houston Chronicle aptly highlights Hecht’s legacy, noting that he exemplified judicial integrity. We agree.
What’s more, he leaves a court respected for its commitment to interpreting the law rather than legislating from the bench. That wasn’t always the case.
It’s been decades but there was a time when the court’s integrity was questioned. That was when “60 Minutes” aired its Justice for Sale expose, revealing that some Texas Supreme Court justices at the time had taken in millions of dollars in campaign contributions from personal injury lawyers and other special interests. Back then, the report left a black eye on the court’s reputation and called into question the legitimacy of its rulings.
Those days are thankfully behind us, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that good judges do matter. That’s why Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse will continue to urge voters to examine the record and experience of judicial candidates whenever they are on the ballot, before casting an informed ballot.
So, as Justice Hecht departs the court, let us honor his legacy by committing to uphold the standards of judicial integrity and accountability that he championed throughout his career. We can do that by electing judges who commit to interpreting the law, rather than creating law from the bench.