Nominated by Rick Perry Political party Republican | Succeeded by Patty Maginnis Party Republican Party | |
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Full Name Michael Thomas Seiler Born June 18, 1967 (age 49) ( 1967-06-18 ) Alma mater University of Kansas
Creighton University School of Law Education University of Kansas, Creighton University School of Law | ||
Michael T. Seiler (born June 18, 1967) is a former District Judge in Texas who resigned from the bench on February 15, 2016 in order to avoid criminal prosecution for the solicitation of former juror support in his 2016 reelection bid.
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Bias in civil commitment program
Seiler was the judge appointed to oversee the civil commitment program in Texas and all repeat sex offenders were tired for civil commitment in his court. His bias on the issue was well documented and he was forced to recuse himself from several cases. Additionally, Seiler was reprimanded by the Texas state Commission on Judicial Conduct and stripped of his role as the sole judge to oversee the civil commitment program in Texas.
BallotPedia wrote that "On April 24, 2015, Seiler was publicly reprimanded by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct for his conduct and behavior towards attorneys representing sex offenders in his courtroom. Specifically, the commission found that Seiler "engaged in numerous instances in which he treated attorneys from the State Counsel for Offenders office, as well as one of their expert witnesses, in a manner that was less than patient, dignified and courteous.
Resignation from the Bench
Seiler was forced to resign from his seat on the bench in February 2016 to avoid prosecution for contacting former jurors of his court to support him in his contested reelection bid.