Watts' Judge-Buying Shows Need for Judicial Reform

According to an Express News article, a statewide 1999 survey commissioned by the Texas Supreme Court and the State Bar of Texas found that 48 percent of judges said campaign contributions "have a fairly significant influence on judicial decisions."

Some 69 percent of court personnel and 79 percent of lawyers surveyed said they believed campaign contributions affect judicial decisions.

Of course, this was brought to light with Mikal Watts' touting of "heavy" financial support for area judges, convincing at least one legal opponent to settle out of court.