Margaret 'Meg' Poissant

Qualifications: What characteristics and experience qualify you to serve as a justice?

I have served on the appellate bench for 6 years. Prior to my tenure as a Justice, I practiced law for more than 30 years representing clients in all areas of the law, on both sides of the docket.

Ethics: Since judicial candidates solicit donations and raise money to be elected, how can voters be assured that campaign donations will not impact how judges interpret the law and review lower court decisions?

The Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 1 requires us to participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing high standards of conduct, and I personally observe those standards to preserve the integrity and independence of the judiciary. We, as judges, are also trained on implicit bias and are required to take implicit bias training and pass an examination based on that training annually.

Judicial Elections: How would the administration of justice be impacted if judges ran in nonpartisan races?

Nonpartisan races may be a good idea for judicial races. Judicial candidates should be elected based on their experience and ethics.

Equity: What can be done to improve access to justice for all, including persons or groups who may be underserved?

Improving access to justice requires enhancing legal aid resources, supporting pro-bono initiatives, and ensuring our courts are user-friendly, especially for those without legal representation. We must focus on outreach and education to ensure the justice system is more accessible and equitable for all.

Court System: What effect will the new business court and statewide court of appeals have on the administration of justice in Texas?

The judges on the new courts were appointed, not elected by the people who they serve. The 15th Court of Appeals, which was created by S.B. 1045 and signed into law by the governor, was granted exclusive, statewide jurisdiction over certain cases involving the state or state officials, unlike the other 14 courts of appeals, which hear appeals only within their geographic regions.