JUDGE DAVID HANSCHEN
Democratic Candidate
for 5th District
Court of Appeals

• This race will appear on your ballot if you vote in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman or Rockwall County.
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JUDGE, LAWYER, ENTREPRENEUR:
Why David Hanschen Gets the Big Picture

Dear Voters,

Appellate court judges need to understand the big picture because they deal with a wide range of legal issues. For any given case before the 5th District Court of Appeals, its Justices may be required to grasp the most complex civil litigation or make a critical decision in a criminal matter. The job takes a unique combination of the generalist's passion for variety and the specialist's intense focus on specific details.

An ideal appellate court Justice will have both a broad interest in the law and a sound knowledge of courtroom procedural and evidentiary rules. An ideal Justice will also have a broad view on life and how the law functions within our economic and social environment.

I believe I meet these criteria. I am an avid scholar of the law with a passion for intellectual challenges, having chosen to go to law school later in life to pursue a second career. Since earning my law degree, I have accumulated extensive legal experience, including my current service as Judge of the 254th District Court, Dallas County. Before pursuing law, I enjoyed many years of success as a businessman and entrepreneur, helping create new companies and jobs in the D-FW area and beyond.

These varied experiences give me the big picture perspective to be an outstanding Justice for the 5th District Court of Appeals. I urge you to learn more about me and to support my campaign.

Sincerely,
Judge David Hanschen

LATEST NEWS:

Judge Hanschen Sheds Light on Unfair Child Support Practices in Texas that Could be Remedied with a Change in DNA Testing Law 

As featured in the Dallas Observer on April 3, 2008, a case in Judge David Hanschen's court has brought attention to a law in Texas that prevents DNA paternity testing in cases in which the child is older than four years, regardless of potential outcome of the results.  DNA testing has caused a buzz in Dallas County of late, freeing over a dozen people wrongly incarcerated for criminal offences.  DNA testing could potentially show that thousands of Texans may be paying child support even though they are not the parent.  "The needs and rights of the children must always take center stage," said Judge Hanschen.  He added, "the truth doesn't have a statute of limitations."  Read more here.