HARLINGEN, Texas - Northern Cameron County Democrats held a “Meet the Candidates Forum at La Sierra Event Center in Harlingen on September 26.
One speaker was Holly Taylor of Austin, an attorney and former prosecutor running for Place 9 on the Court of Criminal Appeals.
In her speech from the podium, Taylor explained what the Court of Criminal Appeals does and why voters should vote for her.
“I have seen how the criminal justice system can fail us. I will bring an independent voice to the Court of Criminal Appeals to ensure that cases receive a fair and thorough review. I am passionate about upholding the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and treating everyone with dignity and humanity,” Taylor said.
Here is a video recording of Taylor's speeh from the podium:
Taylor said it is important to safeguard the independence, impartiality, and integrity of Texas courts, striving for just results and ensuring that all are treated with dignity and humanity.
"My career journey reflects my dedication to justice. I am now a criminal defense attorney, but for over 17 years, working to protect victims and keep my community safe, I prosecuted crime in Travis County. I took on government fraud and corruption and helped put murderers, rapists, and child abusers behind bars," Taylor said.
"In recent years, I also worked with the Travis County DA's Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate wrongful conviction claims. Sadly, I have seen innocent people convicted of crimes they did not commit, and I witnessed inherent systemic bias. As I worked to achieve justice in these cases, I developed a deeper understanding of the ways that the criminal justice system can fail us. These injustices erode public safety, rather than improving it.
"It is critical that our justice system upholds the Constitution and the Rule of Law and considers the safety of the public, while still treating everyone—including litigants, advocates, and victims—with dignity and humanity. I have the courage to make tough decisions with independence, impartiality, and integrity—without bending to political influence. With liberties increasingly stifled and threats against the judiciary rising, there has never been a more pressing moment to fight for these principles."
Here is a video recording of an interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Taylor:
