In a surprising turn of events, Justice John Devine of the Texas Supreme Court has criticized his Republican colleagues—members of a court that is a 9-0 Republican majority body—as being ‘brainwashed’ by their Biglaw training. The audio recording was obtained by the Texas Tribune.
Devine is known for his unconventional working habits, gaining attention when he missed a substantial number of the Texas Supreme Court’s sessions. Bloomberg reported that he skipped more than half of the state supreme court’s meetings to campaign for re-election.
His comments were not directed to the work ethic of his colleagues, instead, he pointed out their ‘Big Law’ backgrounds. Devine contended that it has made his colleagues more absorbed in legal procedures rather than adhering to their duty to the Constitution. “At times I feel like they would sacrifice the Republic for the sake of the process,” Devine was recorded saying.
Devine is currently the only state justice with a primary challenger. Judge Brian Walker, a member of the court of appeals, is disputing the Republican nomination based on Devine’s attendance record and ethical concerns.
Regarding more substantive issues, Devine’s critics claim that his focus on “great constitutional issues” often sidelines the rule of law. In his campaign, donors are offered private tours of the state supreme court. Importantly, the Texas Supreme Court’s role often involves addressing complex procedural dilemmas, such as those seen in the sexual abuse claims among law firm partners. It’s worth noting that Devine has not recused himself from this case, despite having worked at the firm at the time of the alleged sexual abuse.
Beyond the Supreme Court, Devine has also criticized other Texas officials over different legal and political aspects. He accused Texas’s all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals of being controlled by ‘RINOs’ (Republicans in name only) and ‘trans-Republicans’. Furthermore, he charged Democratic leaders in Harris County with using ‘dirty tricks’ to gain an advantage in the elections.
Ultimately, neither Justice John Devine nor a Texas Supreme Court spokesperson responded to requests for comments on these statements. This ongoing drama reveals an interesting insight into the current climate of the Texas Supreme Court, an area worth observing for any legal professional.
Original article: https://abovethelaw.com/2024/02/texas-supreme-court-republicans-brainwashed/