Post on 26-Sep-2020
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Electionprovidestoomuchopportunityforinfluenceandconflictsofinterest.
ActuallyIapprovedtheMissourisystemwhereoutstatejudgesareelected
Appointmentsarepoliticalanyways.
Ihavebeenappointedtooneseatandelectedtoanotherseat.Elections,eventhough
highlychargedpolitically,arelesspoliticalthananappointment.withanappointment,
thereare"behindthescenes"influences.Electionsarelargelyintheopenandnotsubject
todealmaking.
Judgesshouldbeindependentandshouldnothavetorunforelection.Wehaveacodeof
ethicsandarelimitedbywhatwecanandcan'tsay.Wecan'tmakepromisesandcan't
prejudgeacase,oftenwhatthoseseekingpoliticalofficedo.Additionally,whoarewemost
likelytoraisemoneyfrom?Thelawyerswhoappearbeforeus.Notagoodpractice.
Runningforelectiontakestimeawayfromdoingwhatwearebeingpaidtodo-befairand
impartialjudges,ruleoncasesinatimelymanner,andnotbeswayedbypublicopinion-in
essencebeanindependentjudiciary.
Alaskausesascreeningsystemtoevaluatecandidateswithdirectparticipationfromlegal
communitiesandacouncilthatforwardsaslateofthebestcandidatestotheappointing
authorityfromwhichtochoose.Thesystemreducesthelevelofpoliticization.Wehave
beenwell-servedbythissystem.
Letthepeopleofmunicipalitiesdecide
Ibelieveinthepowerofdemocracyandtheabilitytovote.Appointmentislikean
anointmentandnotgoodforsociety.
Thereistoomuchpoliticizinginthecourtsnow,andthatisashame.
IAMANELECTEDJUDGE.BUTFORTHEELECTIONIMAYNEVERBEAPPOINTED.
appointmentsaregreatbutusuallyonlyrepresenttheagendaoftheonedoingthe
appointment,whileelectionstendtocarrytheincumbentunlessheorshehasdone
somethingwrong.
Thecitizenspreferenceistoelecttheirjudges.Thisistherealityinthemajorityofthe
states.Thepresentethics/modelrulesaresetuppremisedontheappointedmodelof
judicialservice.Theethicsrulesinstatesthathaveelectedjudgesneedtoberewrittento
accommodatetherealityonthegroundinaworkablemodelthatrecognizesthedualrole
ofelectedjudges,thatofpublicelectedservantandjudicialofficer,
Thetermsshouldbeaminimumof6years.
Accountabilityandtransparencymatter
thisavoidsbeing"beholding"tooneappointer
appointedthenrunonrecord
Thecostassociatedwithrunningacampaignrequiresajudgetoraisefunds.Evenwhena
committeedoesthisonbehalfofthejudge,itisunseemlytoaskformoneyfromthe
lawyersandpartieswhowillbeappearingbeforeyou.Campaigningrequirestimeawaythe
fromthebenchwhichstrainsajudiciarywithashortageofjudges.
Bothprocedureshavetheirowndrawbacks,buttheelectionprocessismorereliableandis
fundamentalinourdemocracy
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Judgesshouldbeappointedusingajudicialselectioncommissionthatevaluatesand
recommendsindividualstothegovernorforappointment.Afterappointmentjudgesshould
standforaretentionelection3to4yearsaftertheapppointment
However,theBarAssociationshouldhavesomeroleintheprocess-suchasmakingbinding
recommendationsof3choicestotheappointingauthority.
DespitehavingbeenthroughacontestedJudicialElectionandhavingwon,Istillbelievethat
theelectionprocessistheonlycheckandbalancetocounterpurelypoliticalappointments,
whethertheappointeeisqualified(ornot).
Full-timejudgesshouldbeelected,butpart-timejudgesshouldbeappointed.Itwouldbe
pointlesstoincurthecostsofanelectioncampaignforapart-timejudgeship.
Appointedjudgesinmyexperiencetendtobebetterqualifiedjudgesthanthosewhorun
fortheoffice.However,nominatingcommitteesneedtobeasnonpoliticalaspossible.For
example,shouldn'tallowthegovernortoappoint1/2themembers.
Bringsabroaderpooloftalentandremovestheappearanceofimpropietybyseeking
campaigncontributionsfromlawyers.
Elected.Tworeasons:(1)MerrickGarland;(2)Accountabilitytopeople,notsystemof
electingexecutivesthatrefusestoaddressmoneycorruptionofpolitics.
Ibelievetheyshouldbeappointedandthenrunforaretentionelectionthereafter.
Electionandthefundraisingnecessarycreatestoomanyrealorperceivedconflicts.
Thissurveyleadstototallyunreliableresults.Inmany,perhapsmoststates,judgesfeelthat
generaljurisdictionjudgesshouldbeelectedbecausethepubliccaneasilylearnaboutthe
candidatesinthelocalarea.However,Ifeelverystronglyasdothemajorityofmy
colleaguesinallbutperhapsthelargecitiesofPennsylvania,thatappellatejudgesshouldbe
appointedbecausetheelectorateseemstobeincapableorunwillingtofindoutaboutthe
qualificationsofjudgesrunningforhighercourts.Inlightofthat,myansweraboveis
misleadingbuttorespondwiththeonlyotherchoiceavailablewouldalsobemisleading.
Thereshouldhavebeenacategoryforthosewhowouldwantappellatejudgestobe
appointedbuttrialcourtjudgestobeelected.
ActuallyinIllinoissomeareelectedsomeappointedwhichworkswell
Onceelecteditshouldbeforlifesojudgesdon'thavetoplaypolitics
Thispreventstheuneasyethicaldilemmasjudgesmayencounterwiththeirsupportsin
court.
IprefertheArizonamethodcombiningappointmentwithretentionelections.
Campaigninghasitspitfallssincethecandidatehastorelyonthosesupportingtheireffort.
Manytimescampaigningcanprovidethosesupportingacandidatethewrongfulideathat
withtheirsupporttheycanpushforwardtheiragenda,whethercovertlyorotherwise.With
anappointment,thejudiciarycanbefreeofthecampaigninfluenceandremainfully
unbiased.Theappointmentdoesleavemanywiththethoughtthosewhoareappointedare
influencedorbeholdentotheappointer,butsincejudgesseatstendtooutlivewhichever
politicalpartywasinplacewhenappointedtheyarepotentiallyfreeofthatinfluence.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Contestedelectionscreatetheappearanceofjusticeforsale.Thisisabigenoughproblem
withtheotherbranchesofgovernment.Retentionelectionsgivethevotersasayinajudge
stayinginoffice.Thejudicialsystemonlyworkswhenitisperceivedasbeingfair.
Contestedpoliticalelectionsunderminetheappearanceoffairness.
Selectionthroughappointment,thoughpolitical,givesrisetothemost-qualifiedcandidates
forstate-wideandlocaljudicialoffice.Inmystatewehaveboth-appointmentand
election.Ithinkthatisagoodoptionaswell,butIwasn'tgiventhatasachoice.
allmembersofthejudiciaryincludingprobateandassistantjudgesshouldbeappointed.
Thiswouldallowforapropervettingtobeaccomplishedandwouldbetteraddress
potentialconflictsofinterests
itisallIhaveeverknown;appointmentstoooftenbecomepoliticalfavors.
Ifbyelectedyoumeanafewwealthyindividualsbandingtogethertobuyajudgeshipto
assistwiththeirnefariouspursuitofmorewealth,thenIamagainstit.If,however,by
appointedyoumeanallowingthethensittinggovernortoappointhisfriendsorfriendsofa
majordonortoassisthiminhisreelection,ortofurtherhispoliticalambitions,then,again,I
amagainstit.
Appointingjudgeswillremovemuchofthepoliticsassociatedwithelectingjudges.
TheprimarygoalistokeeppoliticsoutoftheJudicialprocess.Thiscannotbedonewith
Governorappointmentswhoarepoliticallymotivated.TheCourtsystembelongstothe
peoplenottheCourtorthelegislatureorthegovernor.Letthepeoplemaketheirchoice
anddealwiththeirselection.Maybethepublicwillbecomemoreconcernedaboutalltheir
electoralselectionsandrepresentation.
Appointedareevenmorepolitical.Oftenmustbebig$contributor,related,orfromsome
influenceorpowerbaseinmany(notall)appointmentsystems.Electedshowstrustand
respecttothepublic.Makesjudgesgetoutamongstthefellowmantheyseektositin
judgmentover.
AppointedJudgesallowforamoreindependentjudiciary.
Butitdependsonwhoisdoingtheappointingandthecriteriaused
YouleftoutBOTH
Appointedandconfirmedevery8yearsbytheelectorate.
ItistheonlywaytotrulyassureJudicialIndependence,ahallmarkoftheRuleofLaw,in
thesetroublingtimesforourdemocraticinstitutions.
Judgesshouldnotbeinvolvedinpoliticsbutifyouareelectedyoujustviolatedthat.
Theyshouldbeelectedandreassignedtoanotherdistrictbyappointmentperhaps
Thepublic(society)shouldhavetheopportunitytoexamineacandidatesbackroundand
experienceandmakeaninformeddecision.
Anappointedjudgeismerelyonewhoiselectedbyasmallnumberofpersonswhowould
thenhaveleverageoverthejudge.thepointofelectedversusappointedjudgesismerely
whowillhavethepoweroverthemthepeopleoraselectnumberofpoliticiansandbar
membersorthepublictheyserve.Clearly,wedon'twantthestatejudgesbecominga
morassofpoliticalshenanigansasfoundinthefederalcourtsbasednotonthelawbuton
theirpoliticalmasters.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Neithersystemisideal.Bothcancontributeimportantvaluetothesystem.However,
electionsmayyielda"popularitycontest"or"namerecognition"result,withvotershaving
norealideaofthecandidate'slegalknowledge,skill,ortemperament.Appointmentmay
beapoliticalmove,againwithlessvalueplacedonthecandidate'slegalknowledge,skill,or
temperamentthanontheirpoliticalconnectionsandhistory.
Ihaveread,heardanddiscussedthemeritsofbothmethodsofselectingjudges,andI
acknowledgethemeritofappointingjudges(there'sonlyone,independence),Istrongly
believethatultimately,electingjudgesistheonlywaytoguardagainstanactivistjudiciary,
onethatseesconstitutionsandstatutesasimpedimentstoachievingthesocietalgoalsofa
few.Onlyajudgewithanagendadrivenbyhisorherpersonalbeliefsorpoliticalorsocietal
pressurecouldfind,withinthe7500orsowordsoftheU.S.Constitution(andits
Amendments),arighttoeitherabortionorgaymarriage.Nojudgewhofacestheapproval
oftheAmericancitizenattheballotboxcouldsotwist,contort,distortandtorturea
documentwritten230yearsagoinanefforttodiscoverandenumeratesuch"rights."
Itisadoubleedgedsword.Obviouslyweallwantthemostqualifiedpersonandmosttimes
Ibelievethathappens.However,manytimeselectionsareapopularitycontestand
appointmentsareapoliticalpowercontest.
Howcanjudiciarybeimpartialifdirectlysubjecttopartisanpoliticalpressure?
Frompublicallyavailablelistofapplicantsdeemedeligiblebybarpanel.Screeningprocess
toculloutpoliticaltoads,andchildrenoffamousbaseballpitchers.Nolifetime
appointments.10or15yearinitialterm,withpossiblere-appointment(s).
TrialCourtsaregenerallybrokendownintoanUppertriallevel,whichhandlesfeloniesand
majorcivilcasesandLowertriallevel,whichhandlemisdemeanorsandminorcivilmatters.
Uppertrialleveljudgesandallappellatejudgesshouldbeappointed,byaGovernoror
LargeJurisdictionChiefExecutivebaseduponnamessubmittedfromabroadbasednon-
partisancommittee,whichscreensapplicants.However,IbelievethatLowerleveltrial
judges,whohandlemisdemeanorsandlessercivilcasesmaybeelectedorappointed.
Lowerleveltrialjudgesshouldthereafterbeappointedtotheupperleveltrialbenchbased
ontheirexperienceandmeritratherthanfromelectedorappointedpartypolitics.
Youleftoffthethird-andbestchoice--appointmentfollowedbyretentionelections.
Nobrainer.Beenworkingonthistopicfor20years.Hawaiihastheperfectsystem.
Uncontestedretentionelectionsafterappointmentareappropriatebutcontestedjudicial
electionsdon'tpassthesmelltest.Whatindependenceinthattypeofsystem?
Eitherwayispolitical.
Ibelieveholdingelections,especiallypartisanelectionreducetheintegrityofthecourt.
Judgesshouldbefreefrompoliticalbiasorinfluenceastheyhearcases.It'sdifficultto
acceptmoneyduringacampaignandthenhearcasesofthosewhogavemoney.
Generalpublicisusuallynotfamiliarenoughwiththeperson'sjudicialcharacteristics,and
namerecognitionratherthanexperience/qualificationsreceivesthevote.
Thecitizenryshouldalwayshaveavoiceintheirrepresentationofallthreebranches,thisis
howdemocracyhassurvived.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Thequestionisshouldoneorafewdecideorshouldthecommunity?Thereisnowaytoget
thepoliticsoutofit.Atleastthepeopleofthecommunitycanhaveasay...
Livinginacountywhereinwehave7(yes7)JudgeGallaghers(includingonewhohadnever
setfootinaCourtroompriortoelection)Ithinkjudicialelectionsshouldbetakenoutofthe
handsoflemmingvotersandIncompetentpoliticalpartyleadershipthatrefusestoaddress
theproblem.
Thequestionistooambiguoustoanswer.Elected?Whatistheprocessofbeingplacedon
theballotandhowoften?Appointed?Bywhom;forhowlong;doesretainingtheoffice
voterapprovalandifso,howoftenandunderwhatcircumstances?
Appointmentviaabipartisancommission(ornonpartisan).Inthealternative,elected,but
withpublicfinancingonly.
Afterappointmentajudgeshouldfacearetentionelectiononaregularbasis.
IsaythisprimarilybecauseIaminanelectedpositioninKansas.Itwouldbeinappropriate
formetoquarrelwiththemethodofmyselection.Thatsaid,Iunderstandthearguments
againstelectingjudges,butIseerealbenefitstoelectingjudges.Electedjudgesmaytendto
bemoredowntoearthandlessaloofintheirapproachtopartiesandlawyersthanour
appointedcounterpartswhodescribetheirselectionmethodas"meritselection."Insmaller
jurisdictionslikeminepeopleknowthefolkstheyvoteforandtheyknowwhattheywantin
ajudge.
Electionofjudgesleadstothesamecorruptionasfoundinlegislaturesetc.wherethe
specialmoniedinterestsbuytheirrepresentativesorgovernor.Judgesshouldbeabovethe
politicalfrayandnotpartofit.Meritselectionworkswell,althoughthatcanbecorrupted
tosomeextentwithenougheffortandmoney.
Judgesshouldbeelectedinnonpartisanelections.Ihavetoomanydearfriendson
oppositesidesofpoliticsandwasfortunatetorunmyfirstraceinmyState'sfirstnon
partisanjudicialelection.Ithinkthatprovidesthebestopenopportunityforgood
candidatesofany"registration"toapplyforsuchimportantjobstoservetheactualpeople
thatchoosethemtotaskit.
AppointedforlifelikealloftheFederalJudgesandthoseguysinDC.
Meritbasedselection.
Iwaselected.Thejudgebeforemewasappointedandwasapoliticalfriendofafriend.
Theappointeehadabsolutelynolegalexperience--exceptforbeingadefendant.Either
way,appointedorelected,itis,unfortunately,political.
Itiaunseemlyandproductiveofmischiefforjudgestobeelected,becausetheyhaveto
raisemoney,primarilyfromlawyers.Muchbettertousethe"MissouriPlan"--appointment
throughjudicialnominationcommissions.Evenallowingretentionelectionsisproblematic
becauseitchillsjudgesfrommakingunpopulardecisions.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Theybothhavemeritandbothprocessesarepolitical.Ageneralelectionstillrequires
moneyandhelpofthosewithinfluencebutaanycandidatecansurviveifthepeopledesire
change.Thelastpresidentialelectionisagreatexample.Wewouldhopethosemakingthe
decisiononmeritwouldbemoreinformedonissuesandrecordsbut;wealsoknowthat
politicsinvolvedrulethedayandonlylimitthenumberofplayerswithinfluenceand
money.It'shardtotrustanysystemwiththatmuchpowerinoursocietytoday.Theway
federaljudgesareappointedareanexampleofaflawedsysteminmanycases.It'ssimply
whothoseinpowerwantandmeritislastonlistifaconsiderationatall.Therateoferroris
thesameasinanelection.Inaperfectworld,forapositionasimportanttothecommunity
andsocietyasjudgesinalllevels,thedecisionofjudgesshouldbemadeonmerit.However,
ifitwhereaperfectworld,itwouldnotmatterifitwereelection/appointment.Iaman
electedofficialandwhilemymoralfabricismyguidingforce,accountabilitytothepublicis
powerful.
Anjudgemustbefreetorule,evenwhendoingsoresultsinanunpopulardecision.
Appointedjudgestooftenreflecttheinherentbiasoftheappointingauthority.Authorities
appointthosenotbestormostqualifiedbutthosebestreflectingtheviewsoragendasof
politicallyelectedofficials.
IhavebeeninvolvedinpoliticsforyearsandalwaysthoughtjudgesshouldbeelecteduntilI
becameone.Here'swhyIchangedmymind:Lawyers,nottheelectoratearethefolkswho
mostknowifajudgeisgoodorbad.Theelectoraterespondstoisolatedincidents,political
rhetoricandothernonrelevantmatters.Inordertobeelected,judgeshavetoraisemoney
andtheonlypeoplewhodonatetojudges(otherthantheirfamilies)arelawyers...and
generallylawyerswhopracticeinfrontofthem.Thishasboththeappearanceofandthe
potentialforundueinfluence.Iamnotnaïveenoughtothinkthatappointmentofjudgesis
withoutpolitics,butitisadifferentsetofpolitics.Ifvoterswantjudgesfearlessenoughto
makethedecisionmandatedbythelaw...notbytheslingsandarrowsofpolitical
expediency,thentheyshouldallowjudgestobeappointed.Ialsorecognizethatthat
appointmentofjudgescarrieswiththedangerof"judicialactivism"--thisiswhyjudges
shouldbethoroughlyvettedbycompetentpanelsofqualifiedpersons.This,ofcourse,
wouldleaveoutCongress!
Iwouldadvocateforalljudgestobeselectedbysometypeofnon-partisan"merit'system.
Theappointmentprocesssetoutinthe"Missouriplan"(adoptedinMissouriinthe1940's)
remainsthebestofvariousalternatives.Certainlystatesupremecourtandotherappellate
courtjudgesshouldbeappointedthroughamerit-selectionprocess;andtrialcourtsinlarge
jurisdictionsshouldalsobeappointedthroughamerit-selectionprocess.Acasecanbe
madeforelectionratherthanappointmentinsmallerjurisdictions,becausevotersaremore
likelytoknowthereputationsofthecandidates,andarethereforelesslikelytobeswayed
byexpensivemediacampaigns.Inaddition,itcanbemorepoliticallypalatablewhenthe
stateleansstronglytowardoneparty,butinsomeareas.(Wheretodrawthelinebetween
"large"and"small"jurisdictionsisobviouslyaquestion.)However,evenifjudgesare
elected,theelectionsshouldbenon-partisan.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
TheFoundersoftheConstitutionrecognizedthedistinctionandtheimportanceof
disassociatingthejudiciarywithpartisanelections.
Judgesshouldbeappointedasamatterofcourse,withonepotentialexception--invery
smallcommunities,votersmaybeabletoproperlyevaluatethecandidatesandmakeawise
choice.
Both.Idaho'smagistratesystemofappointmentallowsforchoosingqualifiedcandidates,
followedbyaretentionvote:"ShouldJudgeJohnSmithberetainedasaMagistrate
Judge..."every6yearsallowsforsomepublicoversight.Itisthebestofbothworlds.
DEPENDSWHETHERORNOTYOURATRIBALJUDGE.EITHERWAYBEINGAJUDGEISRISKY.
ITBECOMESAPOPULARITYCONTEST,IFTHEPEOPLEVOTE,ORIFAPPOINTEDAPOLITICAL
NIGHTMARE.
Iamguessingthatpeoplewillanswerbaseduponwhethertheyhavebeenappointedor
elected.
AsmuchasIdislikemyanswerasbeingundemocraticandelitist,Ialsodislikeseeingjudges
electedinincreasinglypartisantimesandbeingfedquestionsabouthowtheywouldruleon
issuesweretheytocomeupbeforethem.Therearefartoomanypoliticallitmustests
today,whenwhatyoureallyneedarefair,balancedjurists.
alljudgesshouldbeappointed,exceptthePresidingJusticeorChiefJudge.itwouldbe
mucheasier,fasterandsimplertoremoveajudgebyanexecutiveorlegislative
board/committeeforincompetenceor"misfitness";whereas,thechiefjudge/presiding
judgecanberemovedbyimpeachment.Also,manyassociatejudgeshaveclaimed,ifthey
wereelected,thatsincethepeopleelectedhim/her,he/sheshouldhavethesamepowers/
levelofachiefjudge-thechiefshouldnotbethesupervisortotheassociates.Etc.,etc..
Theappointiveprocessismuchmorepoliticalthantheelectiveprocess&theappointive
processdoesnotprovideforanyaccountability.
IwenttolawschoolinTexas,andhavepracticedthere,butmymainpracticehasbeenin
NewMexico.Texaselectsalloftheirjudges,whileNewMexicoelectssomejudges,andhas
amodifiedappointment-election-retentionprocessforothers(districtandappellate).I
knowjudgesinbothstateswhoaregreatjudges,andareacredittothejudiciaryandto
justice.Myopinionhasnothingtodowithanycertainjudges.Thatsaid,thereisno
questioninmymindthattheelectionprocessiswrong.Judgesshouldbeappointed,and
mayfaceretentionelectionsthereafter.Electingjudgesturnsthemintopoliticianstryingto
persuadevoters,andafterelection,leadstothecomplaint(sometimesdeserved)thatthey
arerulinginordertosatisfytheirconstituents.Judgesshouldnothaveconstituents.Forthe
record,Iamnowajudgemyself,havingbeenappointed,elected(withnoopposition)and
facemyfirstretentionelectionin3years.
Politicsplaysapartineitheroption,butinaruraljurisdictionlikeminecandidatescanstill
knockondoors,attendcommunityevents,participateinforums,andotherwise
demonstratetheirqualificationstothevotersinwaysthatarelegitimate,honorable,fair,
meaningfulandcost-effective.
Appointedthenstandforretention.Thisde-politicizesthejudicialbranch,perhapsnot
completely,butfarmorethananelectedjudiciary.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Whilethereareflawswithbothsystems,atleastwithanappointmentsysteman
applicationiscompleted,abackgroundcheckisdone,andthecandidatesarevettedso
thoseappointedmeetminimumstandardsasaqualifiedcandidate.Withelection,littleis
knownbythepublicaboutjudicialcandidates,anddecisionsaremadebasedon
appearance,signs,politics,andotherfactorswhichdonotrelatetowhichcandidateismore
qualifiedandwilldoabetterjob.
Iamfinewithnonpartisanretentionelectionsafterappointment,hopefullywithmerit
screening,butjudgesshouldneverbeelectedoroustedinpartisanpoliticalelections.
Aslongasit'snotapoliticizedprocess
Appointedusingjudicialselectioncommissionwithretentionelectionafterwardsbestof
bothsystems
Appointmentoftenendsupgoingtothepersonwhodonatedalargeamountofmoney,or
whohasthemostpoliticalconnections.Votinglet'sthepeopledecide.
Thepoliticalissuesofappointmentaside,electionhasthegreatestimpactonjudicial
independence.
Ithinkjudgesshouldbeappointed,andwiththevoterslaterdecidingwhetherthejudges
shouldberetained.
Judgesshouldn'thavetoworryaboutwinningapopularitycontestwiththeelectorate,but
shouldbefocusedonfollowingthelaw.Judgesshouldnothavetoworryaboutlosingtheir
jobsbecauseofunpopular,butlawfuldecisions.
Whilepoliticscanneverbecompletelyeliminatedfromtheprocess,eliminatingtheneed
forlargesumsofmoneyrequiredtorunacampaignalsoeliminatestheimpropermoney
driveninfluencesplaceduponajudiciaryworryingaboutre-election.
Thedistractionandpotentialforconflictsofinterestinherentincampaignfundraisingmake
judicialelectionsextremelyproblematic.
Appointedafternominationbyindependentnonpartisancommissionorsimilarentity,
whichhasauthorityandresourcestoinvestigatesuitabilityofcandidates.
Judges,atleastatthecounty-trialcourtlevelshouldbeelectedinorderfortheretobe
accountabilitytothepublic.
Hopefully,appointingofficialswilldeterminethequalificationsofapplicantstomakecertain
thattheyarequalified.Theelectionprocesstotallyfailsatthat.
Nominatedbyacitizen'snon-politicalboardbasedonqualifications,appointedbythe
governorfromthenomineesselectedandretainedthereafteratgeneralelection
Thisshouldbeaneasyanswer--Iknowmostjudgesinmeritselectionstateswouldnever
haverunforoffice
Anonymous-Beingelectedrequiresthepublicgettingtoknowyou.Beingappointedjust
meansyouknewtherightpeople.Unfortunately,thepublicdoesnotevengetan
opportunityinitiallytohaveanyinput.
Withanelectiononlytoretain.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
ItisgenerallyacceptedthatJudgesshouldmakedecisionsonlyonevidenceproperlybefore
themandonaconscientiousunderstandingofthelaw.Ifthejudgeiselected,ormust
standforretentionelection,thenthejudgewillbeundergreaterpressuretopromiseto
issueortoissuepoliticallycorrectdecisions.Electedjudgesmustbecognizantofandmust
combatimplicitbiasinfavorofwhatispoliticallycorrect,e.g.,toughoncrime.
Theethicalissueswithanelectedjudiciaryappeartobeinsurmountable.
Ibelievethatappointingjudgesbymeritcreatesahigherqualitybench,iftheappointees
havebeenpeerreviewed.Italsotakespoliticsoutofthejudicialprocess.Judgesarefreeto
makesoundlegaldecisionswithoutconsideringforpoliticsandreelection.
Letthepeoplespeakthroughourdemocracy.
Thisiscomplicated,but,asexplainedtomebyourfirst-appointedPublicDefenderwho
spentover50yearsonthatjob:"Wetrusttheelectoratetodecideallotherpositions".
That'smystory,andI'mstickingtoit.
Thereareproblemswithboth.Ourappointedjudgesaremorepoliticalthanthosewhoare
electedbythepublicandnotbeholdentopoliticalpowerswhoputthemin.
PertheMissouriPlanwithelectionstoretain/notretain.Thissystemallowsforgreater
judicialindependencebyavoidingtheappearance(ifnotreality)ofjudgeswhoare"paid
for"inadvance.Thesystemalsopreventsthepoliticalmudslingingthatcomeswith
electionswhichultimatelyundercutsthepublicperceptionofjudicialofficers.
Assuming,forcourtsofgeneraljurisdiction.Forothers,aperiodicreviewbytherelated
boardofcommissionorothergoverningbody(withsomeappropriatetenureprotections)
shouldreplacestandardcivilserviceprotectionsforappointedjudges.
Appointedjudgeshaveabetterchanceatbeingindependentandnotbeholdentoapartyor
organization.
Triallevel
Ihaveservedinbothcapacities.IwasappointedforanALJpositionforthedeptoflabor.
Theexperiencewasverypoliticaltoevengettointerviewandthenattheinterviewit
becameevenmorepoliticalastowhattheexpectationswouldbe.Itwasdiscouragedtobe
judiciallyindependent.Ileftthatpositionafterservingfor1.5yearsandeventuallyranfor
myelectricdistrictcourtseat.Votersbetterunderstandthegiveandtakethatajudgeis
requiredtohear,weighandconsider.Votersunderstandimplicitbias.Votersarewho
appearbeforejugesmoreoftenthanlawyers.Moreandmorecasesinvolveproseries
litigantsorfamilies.Yestrial,defense,prosecutorsdefenders,malpractice.....lawyershelp
supportcampaignshowevertheactualclienteleappearingbeforethebencharevoters.
Judgesarehumanandthoseappointedorelectedexperiencefailuressometimesalltoo
publicly
However,Iamnotinfavorofa"privatepolitics"situationlikewehaveinAlaska.Agroupof
individualsdoesthevettinganddecideswhogetsforwardedtotheGovernorfor
appointment.ItissometimesveryclearthereisapoliticalaspecttoitandIthinkitisflat
outwrongforasmallgroupofpeopletobeengaginginprivatepolitics.
withgoverningbipartisancommittees
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
It'sthebestwaytokeepjudgesaccountabletothepublictheyserveandtoavoidthe
pitfallsofpoliticalcronyism.And,yes,Ihateraisingmoneytorunacampaignbutpreferthe
transparencyofcontributionsbeingapublicrecordvs.thebehind-the-scenespoliticking
thatgoesoninpureappointment/retentionelectionsystems.
Appointmentwithretention(Missourimodel)providesaccountabilityandkeepsmoneyand
politicsoutofjudicialselection.
Anappointmentsystemtypicallyhasavettingprocesstoassurethattheindividualis
qualified.Inanelectionsystemacandidatehastoonlymeetpositionrequirements,such
assignatures,togetontheballot.Theappointmentsystemisnotperfect,e.g.appointment
ofJusticeGorsuch,butoverallitisbetterthanhavingthebestpoliticianbecomingajudge
insteadofthemostqualified.
Muchsafer
Iassumeyouarespeakingofnonappellatejudges.Ifso,theyshouldbeelectediftheyhave
successfullypassedtheirBarAssociationplebiscite.Nopoliticalpartyshouldsupporta
candidateforjudgewhodoesnothaveafavorablebarassociationrating.Appellatejudges
shouldbeappointedfromanindependentlyrecommendedgroupmadeupoftheDeansof
ALLthestatelawschools,thePresidentofthestatebarassociation,theSpeakerofboth
housesofthelegislatureandformermembersofalltheappellatecourtsofthestate.While
geographicalbalanceisdesired,Idon'tknowhowitcanberealisticallyachieved.
Thehighcostofrunningacampaigndiscouragessomereallytalentedattorneysfrom
runningforoffice.Itseemstobearealconflictwhenthepersonrunningforajudicial
positionasksforcontributionsfromattorneysintheirareaknowingthoseattorneyswill
likelyappearbeforethatjudge.Whenthejudgesareappointedthereisagreaterlikelihood
thattheyarecompetenttoserve.Iwasoriginallyappointedtomypositionandthereafter
hadtoruntoretaintheposition.Neitheroptionisidealbuthavingappointedjudgesseems
tobetterservethepublic.
I'mreallynotcertainthereisanickel'sworthofdifferencebetweenelectedandappointed.
Whichofthesenotionsisthelesserofthetwoevils:thatelectedjudgesarebeholdento
theelectoratemajority,bigcampaignspendersandpoliticallypopularprinciples;orthat
appointedjudgesarebeholdentotheelectedofficialswhomakeandapprovethe
appointments,politicalpartyinsidersandpoliticallycorrectcommitments?Iwentthrough
acontestedelectionatmyfirsttermandhavebeenthroughthreeuncontestedelections
sincethen.SoIhavebeenabletostayoutofthepoliticalfrayandmaintainjudicial
independenceandobjectivity.Butifappointingauthoritiescouldsomehowbeinsulated
frompressuresandinvolvementofpoliticalpartiesandotheroutsideforces,thenIbelieve
thatappointingjudgeswouldbethepreferableprocessforfillingjudgeshipswithmore
intelligent,dignifiedandqualifiedcandidatesandwouldinstillgreaterpublicconfidencein
thejudiciary.
Appointmentcanleadtocorruption,favorsandpaybacks
Trialcourtjudgesshouldbeelected,inpartbecauseadiligentcandidatecanreasonably
acquainthimselfofherselfwiththeelectorate.However,appellatecourtjudgesshould
(probably)beappointed.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Thegeneralpublichasnoideaandnovalidinformationuponwhichtoplaceanintelligent
vote.
Actually,IliketheMissouriplan.Judgesinsmallercircuitsareelected.Judgesinlarge
metropolitanareasareappointed.Insmallercircuits,thecandidatesareknownand
accessible.Theirreputationisknowntoeveryone.Largecircuitsaredifferent.Itisvery
expensivetorunacampaign,andreputationisnotaseasilyascertainable.
UseMissouri/AlaskaappointmentmethodwithaJudicialqualificationrecommendationand
laterretentionvoteonly.
Thepublicshouldbeentitledtoelecttheirjudgesonanon-partisanbasis,freefromthe
vagariesoftheswingsofpoliticalfortune.
Meritoriousappointmentistheappropriatemodethatensuresjustice.Electedofficersare
oftensubjecttothepoliticalintriguesofthepartyunderwhichtheywereelected.
Althoughappointmentdoesn'ttakethepoliticsoutofselectingjudges,itdoestakealotof
thecampaigningandfundraisingawayandminimizesconflictsorappearancesof
impropriety.
judicialindependance
Iamanappointedjudge.Icannotfathomhowanelectedjudgecouldbeexpectedto
remainneutralinacasewhereoneofthepartieswasasignificantcontributortohisorher
election.Also,Ifinditdifficulttounderstandhowelectedjudgescouldcampaignwithout
disclosinghowheorshewouldbelikelytoruleoncertainissuesthatcouldcomebefore
them.
Notevenaclosequestion.
RUNNINGANELECTIONBORDERSONCONDUCTCONTRADICTORYTOOURRULESOF
PROFESSIONALRESPONSIBILITY-REQUIRESREQUESTFORFUNDS,WHICHMUSTBEDONE
BYOTHERS,BUTTHEWHOLEAFFAIRRESULTSINREQUIREMENTSTHATPOLITICIZEA
POSITIONTHATISSUPPOSEDTOBENEUTRAL-ITISUNCOMFORTABLEATBEST-A
RETENTIONELECTIONWOULDBEBETTERTHANAGENERALELECTION
Theanswertothisquestiondependsonthetypeofjudgeshipatissue.Judgesinspecialty
fields(i.e.Bankruptcy,Admiralty,Probate,etc)shouldalwaysbeappointedfromamong
candidatesqualifiedtopracticeintheirspecializedfields.Thisallowsefficiencyin
proceedingsasthejudgeandthepartieswillallbefamiliarwiththeapplicablelawand
shorthandtermsusedinthefield.Generallawjudgescanbeappointedorelected,there
areweaknessesinbothmethods.Areasonablebalancemaybeaprocesswheregeneral
lawjudgesareappointed,andthensubsequentlystandforretentionelections.
Appointingajudgetakesthepoliticsoutofthejob.Easierontheconscientious.
Both!I'msurprisedthisisn'tanoption.Appointedjudgesareinsulatedfromvoterswhims,
butelectedjudgeswon'tstayinofficeifthey'relazyorjudicialactivists.
Meritbasedselectionfarandwidebetterprovidesforfairandimpartialjudgesunhindered
byfeelingsofobligationtodonors/contributorsinajudicialcampaign.Further,itkeeps
politicsoutofthejudiciary.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Eithersystemproducesthesameshareofbothexcellentandterriblejudges.Thereexists
validargumentsforbothsystemsbutbothinvolvepoliticsintheselectionprocess.You
musteitherchoosethepoliticsofthefeworthemany
Electionistheonlywayjudgesmayultimatelybeheldaccountabletoandbythepeople
theyserve.
Eithersystemhasitsadvantagesanddisadvantages.Intheend,Ichose"elected"becauseI
wouldratherputtheissueinthehandsofthevotersratherthanabureaucracy.Both
systemshaveavailabilityforcorruption.Iwishthereweremorelimitsontheamountof
moneythatcanbespentonjudicialelections.Rightnow,ifyouhaveenoughfamilymoney
youcanbuyabench,inanelection.Ifyouhaveenoughmoneyyoucanalsobuyabenchin
anappointedsystem,becauseyoucancontributemoneytothoseelectedofficialsthat
maketheappointments.Intheend,Ihavetotrustthevotersmore.
Thecurrentpoliticalclimateshouldremindusallofhowindependenceofthejudiciaryand
theperceptionofthatindependenceissocriticaltotheruleoflaw.AlthoughIknowmany
ofmycolleaguesinotherstatesareelectedandtheircharacterisbeyondreproach,the
perceptionofundueinfluenceisharmfultothejudicialbranchasawhole.Recent
commentsIhaveheardthatSupremeCourtJusticesandothersonthefederalbenchshould
beelectedareindicativeoftheperceptionthattheelectionofjudgesallowsthepublicto
holdswayoverjudgesandthesubstanceoftheirdecisions.
Gettingjudgesoutofthepoliticalarenabydoingawaywithelections-whetherbypartyor
nonpartisan-canonlyleadtomoreimpartialjudiciary
letthepeoplepickwhowilljudgethem
Ibelieveitisthebestsystemwhenit'sdonerightwithabipartisannominatingcommittee
madeupoflawyersandnonlawyers.
Judgesshouldbeappointedinanon-partisanmanner.
Anelectedjudiciarydoesvery,verylittletopromoteconfidenceamongthepublicthatwe
willbewillingorabletoprotecttheminorityfromthetyrannyofthemajority.
Although,Iamelected,Ibelievethatanappointedjudgescenarioisbetteraslongasthere
isaretentionvote.Unfortunately,eitherappointedorelectedyouhavethepotentialfor
croniesorunqualifiedindividualsgettingontothebench.
Electionsmakethejudicialselectionprocesstoopolitical.Ibelievethatreallycompromises
theperceptionsofourimpartiality.
IthinkjudgesshouldbeelectedbutIdon'tthinktheyshouldcampaign!
Judgesshouldreflectthecommunitiestheyserve,whichdoesnotnecessarilyhappenunder
anappointmentsystem.Votersshouldbetheultimatedecisionmaker.
Judgesshouldnothaveaplatformtorunupon
Electionbydefinitionmakejudicialofficerssubjectpoliticalpressure.Thefederalmodel
providesmoreassuranceofseparationofthejudicialbranchfromthelegislativeand
executivebranches.Ajudgeshouldnothavetoconsiderthepoliticalfallout.S/heshould
onlybefocusedonprecedentandequity,ifs/hehasgeneraljurisdiction.
Ifeelstronglythatjudgesshouldoverwhelminglybehiredbasedonmerit.Electionsare
popularityconteststhatmayusherinunqualifiedapplicants.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Judgesshouldbeappointedtoavoidhavingpoliticsplaytoobigarole.Whilepoliticsnever
willbecompletelyeliminated,appointmentinvolvesless.
Judgesneedtobeheldaccountabletothepublictheyserve.
Theprimaryargumentagainstelectedjudgesisthattheyaresubjecttopartisanshipissues.
However,myexperienceisthatinpracticetheoppositeismoretrue.Myexperienceisthat
appointedjudgesaremorelikelytoactoutontheirpoliticalbiasbecausetheyarenot
accountabletobeingvotedoutforsuch.Incontrast,electedjudgesknowthat,ingeneral,
thepublicexpectsthejudgetobenonpartisanandtoalwaysactinanindependentand
judiciallyfairway.Therefore,ifanelectedjudgeletshispoliticsintohisdecisionmaking,he
hastherealityhewilllikelynotbereelected.Ithinkthisisespeciallytruewiththe
philosophysomejudgeshaveinthattheConstitutionisan"evolving"document.Inshort,
thatwouldmeanthatthelawissubjecttochangeasour"understanding"changesor
becomesmoreenlightened.Thatideologyisripeforjudicialabuseasitcanallowajudge's
politicalleaningstoinfluencehisdecisionmakinginsteadofsomeobjectivestandardofthe
plainmeaning,ortruthoftheoriginalintentandpurpose,oftheconstitutionorlaw.
Ithinkwehavebetteropportunityforhavingqualifiedjudgeswhenthereisabi-partisan
commissionprocess,madeupofdiverseindividualswithexpertise/experienceinagiven
areaoflawwhereyouhavespecializeddivisionsinthecourt.Therehastobeaprocessof
accountabilityhowever,andretentionelectionsmayprovidethatbalance.Finally,some
systemsperformbestunderadualprocessthatprovidesforscreeningofqualified
applicantsandanelectionprocess.However,toensuretheimpartialityofthejudiciaryit
wouldbebeneficialtohavepublicfinancingforsuchpositions,andperhapslongerterms
than2-4years.
Appointmenttakessomeofthepoliticsoutoftheequation.Fundraisingforajudicial
positionisjustsounseemly!
D.C.hasanominationcommissionthatmustsubmit3namestotheappointingauthority(in
ourcasethePresidentoftheU.S.,elsewhereitwouldbethegovernor).Thishasworked
verywellforover40years.Itisamuchbettersystemthanelectionsornakedappointment
bytheappointingauthority.Judicialindependenceisessential;electionsundermineit.
Ibelievethereisgreaterdiversitywithelections.However,I'mbeginningtothinkthata
hybridofthetwowouldbethebestchoice.
Thereisnoperfectsystemforselectingjudges;however,Istillthinkthatthelocalvoters
shouldbethecheckandbalanceonthesystem.Ajudgethatdoesnotfunctionwell
personallyorprofessionallywillalwaysbereplacedbytheelectorate.Mightnothappen
whenappointmentsaremadeonamorepoliticallevel.
Iwasappointedinitiallyandthenelectedeveryfouryears.Idon'tknowthatIcouldhave
competedagainstagoodpoliticianatthepolls.Wedohaveopenelectionsinmy
jurisdiction.Occasionallywegetacandidatewhohasmoremoneythanqualifications.
Thankfullytheyrarelywinbutthethoughtofhavingsomeoftheseideologicalcandidates
seizeajudgeshipbyappealingtopopularthemesisfrightening.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Appointmentafterarigorousreviewprocess(asexistsinsomestates,includingAlaska)that
includespublicinputwithperiodicretentionelectionsthereafterworksverywellandstrikes
afairbalancebetweendepoliticizingthebenchandyetallowingforsignificantpublic
involvement(especiallyintheretentionprocess).
Judgesaretobeindependentandnotbeholdentoanyone,especiallypeopleorentities
whichhelpthemgetelected.
electedincounties.appointedforstatewidepositionsonappealscourts
Certainly,ifprovidedforintheirstateconstitutions.
Inordertomaintainanindependentjudiciaryjudgesneedtobenon-partisanandattainthe
benchinamannerotherthanpoliticalappointmentsoftheexecutiveandlegislative
branches,whichbytherenaturearepartisan.Openelectionsobviouslybenefitthewealthy
orthosewithaccesstofinancialbacking,andtheintroductionofdarkmoneyintothe
electionprocesshasmadeallofuselectedjudgesandthosesubjecttoretentionelections
sittingducks.Electionsarenotperfect,butuntilsomeonecomesupwithanon-political
appointmentprocessandamoreefficientwaytoremovejudgesfromthebenchthat
shouldnotbethere,electionswillhavetosuffice.
Ithinkappointmentwithvoterretentionistherightwaytogo.Itensuresthatpoliticsstay
outoftheselectionprocessbutallowsthevoterstovoteagainstretentionifsomeoneisnot
doingagoodjob.
Thequalificationandexperienceofajudgeisvitaltohis/herappointment.Also,the
temperamentmustbeconsidered.Conversely,theelectionofajudgeismoreofa
popularityvote.Itdoesnotconsiderthejudge'soverallexperience,decisionmaking,and
temperament.
WeareoneofthefewcountiesinKansasthatareelected.Anothercountytypicallyhas
multipleelectionracesandtheyspendaconsiderableamountofmoney.Guesswerealize
wherethefundscomefrom.
YourquestiondoesnotgivetheoptionofasystemliketheStateofColoradohas.In
Colorado,thejudgesareappointedforaninitialtermof3yearsandthenthevotershave
theopportunitytodecideifthejudgeshouldberetained.Ifthejudgereceivesafavorable
vote,thenheorsheisreappointedforatermof7years.Idolikethesystem,butifIhaveto
chooseIwouldselectappointed.Oneunpopulardecisionbyajudge,eventhoughitwasa
fairtrialandfollowsthelaw,cangethimorhervotedoutofoffice.Anappointment
processrelievessome,butnotallof,thepolitics.
FOROPENSEATS:Electedafterbeingratedbyajudicialratingcommittee.
Thegoalisqualified,fair,independentjudges.Electionsworkagainstthisgoal.
Thejudiciaryshouldbefreefrompoliticalretributioninperformingitsduty.
Thejudiciaryshouldbeameritocracy,notapopularitycontestsubjecttofundraising.
BothhavetheiradvantagesanddisadvantageshoweverasabottomlineItrustthepeople
topickmorethanthepoliticans
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Hybridappointment.50%appointment,50%lotteryandhybridappointment.Electionbring
intoplaypolitics,moneyandtheappearanceofquidproquo.Ontheotherhand
appointmentsopenthedoortofavoritismandnepotism.Ithinkthattheirshouldbesome
appointmentsandalottery.Objectivequalificationscraftedtobeinthejudiciallottery
shouldbeestablishedsuchas,licensure,numberofyearspracticed,specialtyifany,etc.,
similartothequalificationsforpresidency.Thisallowsforadiversegroupofjudges(notjust
prosecutors)tobeselectedbaseduponthecriteriacrafted.Thenoncethelotteryisfinished
thenthesubjectiveinterviewsareheld.Notbaseduponfactualevidenceoftheobjective
criteriabutmoretowardsjudicialdemeanor,bias,judicialqualities,etc.Thejudiciallottery
shouldalsoincludealocalecomponentsothatjudgesareselectedfromdiverse
communities.
First,candidatesvettedbyanimpartialcommittee.Next,namessenttoexecutiveofficeto
chose.
Trialjudgesshouldbeelectedevery4years;Appellatejudgesshouldbeappointedwith6
yearretentionballots;SupremeCourtJudgesshouldbeappointedforlife.Themoreredthe
state,thegreaterneedforlifetenure.
Improvesaccountability.
Theroleofajudgerequiresanindividualtointellectuallyanddispassionatelydiscernthe
factsandtofaithfullyapplythelawaccordingtothosefacts.Electionsundermine
confidenceinthejudiciaryasitisimpossiblenottoassumethatelectedjudgesmayfeel
beholdentotheunduepressureofavocaland/orpowerfulconstituency.Electionscreate
aninherentconflictofinterestforajudgewhencalledupontomakeanunpopular
decision.
Iamanelectedjudgeonapartisanballotabouttorunformythirdterm.Thisisnowayto
obtainajudge.Otherthanpartyaffiliationandincumbency,votershavelittleifanyclueas
tothemeritsofaparticularjudgeorcandidateforajudgeship.Itwouldseemtomethat
meritselectionandretentionelectionwouldbethebetteralternative.
IamanappointedJudge.InthisstatetheGovernorshavebeenverygoodnottoletpartisan
politicsorspecificissuesinfluenceappointments.Concernaboutethicsoffundraisingin
electedjudgesjurisdictions.
Theelectionofjudgescanandwillresultinasignificanterosionofjudicialindependence.
ThepublicshouldnothavetoworryaboutladyJusticelosingherobjectivityduringelection
seasonbypeekingoutfromunderherblindfoldtoseewhichwaythepoliticalwindsare
blowing,especiallyintimeswhenpoliticalleadershavedecidedtheymaygainpolitical
advantagesbybeingcriticalofdedicatedpublicservantswhoservethejudicialbranch.
Appointedjudgesarecarefullyvettedthroughselectioncommitteesandinputisobtained
fromnumeroussourcesinvolvedwiththejudicialbranch.Theythereforetendtobe
consistentlybetterqualifiedandnotbeholdentothespecialinterestgroupsresponsiblefor
puttingandkeepingtheminoffice.
ElectedJudgesmustsolicitmoneyfromcontributors(viaashamcommittee)andare
potentiallytaintedandbeholdentocontributors.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Ourfoundingfathershaditrightbyappointingfederaljudgesratherthansubjectingthem
toelections.Appointmentsarepoliticalbuthavingthepoliticalinfluenceatthefrontendof
theprocessatleastinsulatesjudgesfrompoliticalinfluencesdowntheroadthatmight
actuallyaffecttheirjudgments.Ihaveseenfartoomanyjudgesissuerulingsbasedupon
considerationsofhowthatjudgmentwillimpactupontheirchancesforre-election.
Considerationsofpoliticsshouldneverintojudicialdecision-making.Politiciansshould
agreeonabi-partisanappointmentcommitteewithrepresentativesfromthebar,the
community,andothersectorstomakeappointmentdecisions.Whilethatprocessisnot
perfect,itsafeguardsthecandidateoncetheyareajudgefrompoliticalinfluence.Having
tocampaigneverytermandraisemoneyfromlawyersandotherscorruptstheprocess.
Judgesshouldnothavetoseekfinancialsupportfromanyplayersinthesystemorinthe
community.Workonfine-tuningtheappointmentprocesstomakesureitisopenand
accessibletoallsortsofcandidatesandthatitisimmunefromcontrolbyonepartyorthe
other.Buttakethepoliticsoutoftheprocessofjudgingcompletely.
Appointediswaymoreofapoliticalgame.
Afterafairandunbiased,lol,process.Athoroughprocessthatthepubliccanparticipate.
Myvoteisbasedontheassumptionthatjudicialcandidateswouldbethoroughlyscreened
byanimpartial,nonpartisancommittee,andthatthegovernorwouldbeobligatedtoselect
fromthosecandidatesrecommendedbythecommittee.
Meritselectionbringsgreaterdiversitytothebenchthanbothpartisanandnon-partisan
electionsandencouragesexceptionallywellqualifiedindividualstoapplywhootherwise
wouldnot.
Witharetentionvoteeverysooften(6years)theappointmentofjudgescreatesbalance
reducestheinherentconflictcreatedbyelectingjudges.
Judgesshouldbeindependentofallpoliticalpressuresandbasetheirdecisionsonthefacts
andthelawratherthanpopularopinion.
Insomestates,thegovernorandthelegislativebodyarefartoopoliticaltobemaking
decisionsaboutjustice;thebothfavorfriendsandseekrevengeonthoseinopposition.Too
often,thevastmajorityofthepeoplewantonething,buttheelectedofficialswhowould
nominateandaffirmjudgesareobligatedtovoteacertainwayinordertogettheirown
legislationpassed.Letthepeopledecide!
Promisestothepeoplearetoeasytogiveupwhenelected.
Electionscostmoney.Anytimethere'smoneyinvolvedthere'salwaysthequestionof
impartialityandwhetherornotacampaigncontributioninfluencedorappearedto
influenceajudge'sdecision.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Appointedjudgesgothroughavigorousvettingprocess.Althoughtheappointmentprocess
isnotperfectandgivebetterchancestothosewhohavetherightpoliticalconnections,itis
stillafarbetterprocessthanthroughelection.Whereas,withanelection,thepublicisnot
necessarilywellinformedaboutthecandidatesandtheindividualswithmoneyforslates
andmailerstendtocomeoutahead.Also,withanelectionprocess,thejudicialposition
becomepoliticized.Judicialcandidatesareoftencalledupontotakepositionsonissues
(e.g.abortion,guncontrol,deathpenalty...etc)thatjudicialcandidatesshouldnotethically
give.Unlessanduntilthereisamethodinwhichjudicialelectionsarenotpoliticizedanda
campaignlimitisplacedonthejudicialelectoralprocess,theappointmentmethodisbyfar
moresuperior.
WhyshouldJudgesbeabovedemocracy?
Botharethesame,theonlydifferenceisthesizeoftheelectorate.
Withappointmentsallowedformidtermvacancies.Limitoncampaigncontributionswould
benice.LetthepeopledecidenotwellfundedPAC's.
itdependsonthejurisdictionandwhatisimportanttothecitizensofthatcommunity
ThisiscomplexbutIfeelthatacombinationofappointmentwithsomepolitical
accountabilityisappropriate.Inmystate,theGovernorhastheabilitytofillmostvacancies
byappointment;however,thenewjudgemustthenstandforaretentionelection.
Additionally,judgesmustrunforre-electioneverysixyears.Ibelievethissystem--when
combinedwithstrict,non-partisanjudicialethicsrulesthatapplytoanyelectoralcandidate
fortheposition--isthebestIhaveseen.Iaminterestedtoseetheopinionsofmy
colleaguesandtolearnmoreaboutwhatthebestsystemmightbe.
Judgesaretobeneutral.Whydopersonsrunningforjusticeofthepeacehavetorununder
apartyaffiliation?ItgivesanappearanceofimproprietyIbelieve.Doesn'tthejudgehaveto
serveallpeople?inavotingballot,whyistheSuperiorCourtjudgenotunderaparty
affiliationlikeaJPis?
Ican'timaginebeinganelectedjudge,withtheattendantcontestedelections,necessary
fundraisingandrelatedrealities.Meritbasedcommission/appointment/retentionseemsto
metobebestsuitedtoresultinqualifiedjudicialapplicants,andtominimizethepolitical
partsoftheprocess.
Ibelieveifyouareelected,itwouldbedifficulttobefairandneutraloratleasthavethe
perceptionassuchforthosethatdonatetoyourcampaign.
Icanseenegativesinherentineithermethod.AsanAssociateMagistrateforanelected
Chief,IcantellyoudefinitivelyandwithMANYconcreteexamplesinsupportofmy
position,thatatleastinmyexperience,theelected"politicianChief"wasnottrulyor
properlyinterestedinanyconceptevenremotelyresembling"justice"whereincertain
"protected"individuals(includingfamily/extendedfamily)wereconcerned.Theresultbeing
repeatedegregiousandotherwiseinexplicablemiscarriages.Theholdingofofficebecame
nothingmorethanaquidproquopopularitycontesthavingnosemblanceofjudicialethics
adherencebehindthepublicfacade.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Theelectoralprocessallowsanuninformedelectoratetovoteoncandidatesbasedon
opinionsshapedbymarketingcampaignsandcampaigncontributionsfromspecialinterest
groups.
Appointedwitharetentionelection.
Judgesofstateandappellatejurisdictionshouldbeelected.Judgesoflimitedjurisdiction
suchasmunicipalcourtandjuvenilecourtshouldbeappointed.
Electionsinjectpoliticsintothejudicialprocess,whichleavesmanywiththefeelingthat
justiceisn'tblind.Byhavingtoworryaboutbeingre-elected,judgesmaymakedecisions
thatwillreceivemajoritysupport,notthatactuallyservethegreatestgood.Also,elections
requiremoney;moneymeansseekingdonations;donationsleavetheimpressionthat
judicialdecisionscanbebought.
Anelectedjudgewillbeknownbythecommunityandwilllikelyknowhis/herhistoryasa
communitymemberaswellaslegalexperience.
Whilebothsystemshaveissues,anappointedbenchfromwhichapplicantsarevettedbyan
independentmerit-basedselection/retentionprocessispreferredoverasystemwhich
incorporatesallofthepoliticalaspectsoftheelectionprocess,i.e.,fundraising,
campaigning,advertising,potential&actualconflictsofinterest,aswellas,perceived&
actualimpactonindependentjudicialdecision-making,etc.,.....Althoughtheappointing
authority,eitherthegovernor,chiefjusticeorsomeotherindependentbody,isperfectly
entitledtomaketheselectionwhichmaynotbeentirelyfreefrompoliticalinfluence,the
candidateselectednonethelesswillhavecomefromalistofapplicantsdeemedqualified
forjudicialofficebaseduponthebreadth&qualityoftheirlegalwork,theirdemeanor&
temperament,aswellas,otherrelevantpersonalandprofessionaltraits.
Difficultquestionwithoutmoreinformationbutonthewholetheyshouldbeappointed
withaterm-limitofsomedurationintheorderof20years;lifetimeappointmentsarenota
goodthingfortoomanyreasonstolisthere.Caveat-courtsoflimitedjurisdiction,where
attorneysarenotrequired,shouldhaveaninitialnon-partisanelectionwithretention
electionsandterm-limits.
ElectedamountstoaJudgerunninginapopularitycontest.Atrueappointmentprocess
shouldincludetestingandinterviewstodeterminethecandidate'squalifications.
Elected.It'smyunderstandingthatifappointed,thereisafeeinvolvedforslating.That's
the"allaboutthemoney"problemswehaveinpoliticstoday.
Accountability.Toopoliticalifappointed.Non-partisanelectionsgivethecandidateand
thepublictheabilitytoassessqualifications.Eitherway,anot-so-qualifiedpersoncouldget
thejob.
AccordingtoourrevisedYakamaNationLawandOrderCode-theyareappointedeither2
or4yearsdependingontheYakamaTribalCouncil.
Ipreferelection.Thesameclownsrunningourstateandlocalgovernmentinthegrounds
wouldbeappointingourjudges.Theywouldrunourjudicialsysteminthegroundaswell.
Untilsomeonecanshowmeasystemexiststhatdoesnotinvolvepolitics(thepoliticsof
popularity,professionalallegianceorpartisanship)Isayletthevotersdecide.Theyarethe
onesthatwillhavetolivewiththeresult.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
subjecttoretentionelection(i.e.,theMissouriPlan)
Appointed
Butonlyiftheappointmentismadebyapoliticallyneutralbodywhichincludesjudges,
lawyersandthosewhoworkinthejusticesystem.Appointmentinvolvinggovernorsor
legislatorsisnoteffective.Intheabsenceofapoliticallyneutralselectionsystem,election
isrequired.
Butonlyinnonpartisanelections.(Partisanelectionsaretheworstformofjudicialselection
system.)
Ihavebeenappointedforlife,withnoretentionproceedings.Havingnowattendedseveral
NJCcoursewithjudgeswhomuststandforelectionoverandoveragainandthereforeare
forcedtoconductcampaigns,Icannotunderstandhowanystatecansupportasystem
whichembodiesaconstantthreattotheindependenceofitsjudicialofficers.Iamso
gratefulformyappointmentandformystate'sappreciationoftheimportanceofatruly
independentjudiciary.
Sincestatejudgesareinvolvedwiththegeneralpublic,itisrightandappropriatethatwe
areelected,notappointed.It'salsoagoodcheckandbalanceofjudicialpowerand
authority.
Appointedafterarigorousreviewprocessbyanonpartisancouncil,thensubjecttoperiodic
retentionelections.
aftergoingthroughtheJudicialNominationCommissionprocess.
Ibelievetheyshouldbeappointed,butsubjecttoayesornovoteforretentionevery4
years.
Bygroupscapableofselectingjudicialtraitsandqualities.
Whetheritisbyappointmentorbyelectiontheprocessispolitical.
Appointedbutstandforretentionbyelection.Appointment,isfrequentlyviewedas
"political"butthevettingprocessistypicallybetterthananelectionprocessforafirst-time
judge.However,becausejudgesatthestatelevelarenotappointedforlife,reviewingthe
judge'sperformanceinaretentionelectionisprobablyagoodidea.
Theappointmentprocessisasignificantprotectionagainstjudgesbeingbeholdentoany
personorgroupofpeoplewhohaveassistedintheirelectionandtoallowthemtomake
theirdecisionsunrestrainedbythefearofpublicdisagreementwithanoutcome.Those
termsoughttobelifetime(oragemandated)forthegreatestprotection.
Thisisabadsurveyquestion.Eachhasitsmeritsandeachhasitsissues.Also,each
situation(appellate,trial,smallclaims,traffic,etc)maycallforadifferentselectionmethod.
Smallervotingdistrictsseemtodofinewithelections.Largerones-notsomuch.Alsodoes
nothingtodifferentiatewhatkindofappointment-executive,commission,legislative,
other.(?)
Dependsonthelevelofjudge.Itshouldalwaysbenon-partisan.Judgesoflimited
jurisdictioncourtsshouldbeelectedifservingmultipleprecincts(cities).JudgesofCourtof
Recordshouldbeappointed.
Asystemofappointmentwithelectoral"retention"isthebest.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Anyonecanbeappointed.Idontcareifyourademocrat,republican,independent,people
hasarighttoelectanyofficialwhotheythinkcandothejob.
Appointedandstandforretention
Througharigorousexaminationandqualificationprocesswithtwosteps:anappointing
authority(canbegovernor,abody,ajudicialcommission)andthenaconfirmationprocess
(legislativebody)withaoneyearprobationaryperiodorforatermofyears(10yearsandre
appointmentprocess).
Appointmentisapoliticalprocess.Thepublicknowsnothingaboutthejudgewhois
appointed.However,runningacampaignisanarduousprocessandcoulddissuade
legitimatecandidates.Therereallyisnogoodsystemforthepathtothebench.Both
optionshavetheirnegativepitfalls.
Mythinkingonthisissuehasevolved,InowbelieveamodifiedMissouriplanisbest--this
allowsvoterssomeinput,whilelimitingtheneedforjudgestocampaignforretention.
Itisabsolutelynecessarytomaintainanindependentbranchofgovernmentnotcontrolled
byALEC,theKochbrothersoranyotherextremistswiththemoneytobuyelectionresults
andelectedofficials.
Electionofjudgesistheworstwaytopickthem...exceptforeverywayelse...
Ideally,alljudgesshouldbeelected.Practicallyonlytrialcourtjudgesshouldbeelected,
becausetheyareclosesttothepeopletheyserve,andintermediateappellatejudgesshould
beelected,becausetheyoperateinaratherinvisiblesphere;and,atbothlevels,sofar
moneyhasnotusurpedthepeople'swill.However,becauseexpendituresbythirdparties
havetakenthevotesawayfromthecitizensofthestate,statesupremecourtjustices
shouldbeappointedbyanonpartisancommissionbasedonmerit.
Itisunderstoodthatbothhavepoliticalties.However,elections,aswehavejustseenhave
builtinissuesthatshouldbeavoidedatallcosts.
Appointedafterbi-partisan-Non-artisanjudicialnominatingcommitteescreensthoroughly.
Transparencyandhavinginputfromthepublicandlegalprofessioninanapplication
processismorefairandmitigatesthefavoritismofapoliticalappointment.Atleastthose
makingtheshort-listundertheMissourimodelarequalified.Judicialelectionshave
devolvedintopoliticsandspecialinterestsandthemoneythatcomeswiththem.Thesame
negativesassociatedwithnon-judicialelectionsspillover(uninformed,voterbias,PACs)and
judicialcandidatesarelimitedinhowtheycanrespond.Qualificationsshouldbemorethan
havingapulse&abarlicenseandpayingthefilingfee.Ahighlyqualifiedfelonycourtjudge
inabusyurbancourtwithmanyyearsofexperience--butaHispanicsurname-ranforthe
highestappellatecourtinthestate.Hissoleopponentwasawhitemaleattorneywhohad
verylittleexperienceevenasalawyer,buthadagenericAnglo-Saxonsurname:Hewonin
theconservativeruralareasofthestate.
both
Appointed--butwithsafeguardslikeinAlaska,whereanindependentcouncilevaluates
candidatesandsendsatleasttwoofthemostqualifiedcandidatestothegovernor,and
wherejudgesstandforretentionbeforevotersatleasteveryfouryears.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Themethodusedinavarietyofstateswhichprovidesforreferendumseemslikea
reasonablecompromiseforStateCourtJudgesifappointmentisnotaccepted.That
reducesthepoliticalnatureoftheposition,althoughnottotallyeliminatingthataspect.
Appointedbutre-electedunder"MissouriPlan"
Theyshouldbeappointedaslongastheappointmentsystemisonethatscreensjudges
basedonmeritandnotpoliticalaffiliationloyaltytotheappointingauthority.
Boththeelectionmethodandtheappointmentmethodofselectingjudgeshavedrawbacks.
Appointingjudgesoftenmeansthatpoliticalcontributionstothepartyholdingpower
"count"morethanmerit,andthatjudicialseatsmaygotothehighestcontributors.Onthe
otherhand,electingjudgesmeansthatcandidatesmustcampaignforoffice,oftenin
contestedelections.Judicialcandidatesmaybetemptedtoannouncetheirpositionson
issuesortopics-somethingjudgesareprohibitedfromdoinginmanycasesduetothe
canonsofjudicialethics.Overallthough,Ibelieveappointmentisthebettermethodof
selectingjudges,providedthattheyarenotlifetimeappointments,andaresubjectto
periodicrenewal,orchallenge.
Electionofjudgesaddstheunwantedspectreofpoliticalpartisanship,impliesjudgesdecide
casesbasedonpoliticalaffiliation,andfeedsthemisconceptioncommonlydescribedas
"activistjudges."Theelectionprocessalsoautomaticallycreatesanappearanceof
improprietyduetotheperceptionthatelectedjudgeswillsomehowbebeholdentotheir
electorate.Electionofjudgesutterlydenigratestheindependentandimpartialmandateon
whichjudgesassumethebench.
Allappellatejudgesshouldbeappointed.Trialjudgesshouldbeappointedalso.However,if
judgesmustrunforelection,itshouldbecompletelynonpartisanwithnoassociationwith
anypoliticalparty.
IfjudgeswereonlyappointedthenImyselfanAfricanAmericanfemalewouldnothavehad
theopportunityinapredominantlywhitemalepoliticalenvironment.Judgeswouldnotbe
asindependentwhenhavingtorelyonpoliticalappointment.Thereisnowaytocontrol
thepoliticsofsuchasystem.And,judgeswhodonotcareforthepublicbutonlythe
positioncansurface.
Ibelieveinmeritselection,whichmeansanappointmentshouldbebaseduponthe
candidatesqualifications,notpoliticalexpediency.
byanon-partisancommittee
IreallyitshouldbebothasitishereinFlorida.Onceajudgeisappointedheorshemust
runinthenextgeneralelection(howevernotsoonerthan1year).However,minoritiesface
agreathurdleinelectionsbecauseofthecosts.It'samixedbag.Ialsofeelthatthe
appointedjudgesfacelessethicscomplaintsthantheelectedjudges.
Whetherelectedorappointed,thetermshouldbe12yearsormoreinordertoassure
judicialindependence
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Ihavebeenonbothsidesoftheappointmentprocess(appointingauthorityandappointee).
Thereareargumentsonbothsides,butIcansaythattheappointmentprocessismuch
more"political"thantheelectoralone.So,Ithinkargumentscanbemadeforeach.
Simply,Idon'tthinkitmattersmuchwhichsystemisused.Thisargumenthascontinued
for241yearsandisboundtocontinueintothefuture.
Judgesshouldnotbepoliticiansandshouldnotcampaign.Eachpresentsboththe
appearanceandtherealpossibilityofethicalproblemsthatshouldbeavoided.
Ileantoappointment.TenyearsagoIwouldhavesaidelected.However,Ihavewatcheda
colleaguemakeamessandheiselected.Heflatoutsayshewilldowhathepleasesand
saywhathepleasesuntilsomeonestopshim.Hetreatsstaffandpublicterrible.Because
heiselectedtheCitydoesnothing.ThatiswhyInowleantowardsanappointedjudge.
Actually,IliketheIsraelimodel.Lawyersgotoschooltobecomejudges.Theythenstartat
thebottomrungoftheladder,andadvanceuptheladderbasedupontheirperformance.
Nopoliticsinvolvedatall!!!
Leadstopotentialconflictsandtheappearanceofconflictduetothemoneyinjectedinto
judicialelectioncampaigns.
Theappointiveprocessallowstheconsiderationofprofessionalqualifications.However,
theappointmentsshouldbemadebyanelectiveexecutive(Governor,President)toensure
inputfromthepeople.
Therereallyisnoclearlyethicalwayforjudgestoraisemoneyinacampaign,anabsolute
necessity.
Appointmentsaretooeasilycontrolledbythepoliticalwhimsoftheappointingentity.This
leadstojudgesmorepronetoruleonideologyandnotthelaw.
Neitherprocessisperfect,butinmyopiniontheelectoralprocesshasgreaterflaws.Ithink
acommentmadeinresponsetoasentencinghypotheticalIposeduringaclassIwas
teachingatthecollegeclearlysupportsmyposition.Thatquestionaskedwhatsentencethe
participantswouldimposeinacasewithconsiderablepoliticalimplications,andthecandid
responsebyoneoftheparticipantswas"howclosetothenextelectionwasthesentencing
beingimposed".
Non-partisanelection.Givethepeoplethepowertoelecttheirjudges,butwithoutthe
politicalidentification.Makingjudicialcandidatesidentifywithapoliticalpartyisanathema
totheethicalobligationsofjudges.Ifpoliticalpartisanshipplaysnoroleinthejudicial
function,whydowerequireitofacandidateforjudicialoffice?
Localandstatebarsneedtoeducatethepubliconhowtoevaluatecandidates'
qualificationsandperformance.Candidatesandjudgeslikewiseneedtoremainmindfulof
thethreatvotersposetoourjudicialprocess.
OurstateConstitutionrequireselectionwithappointmentasameanstofillavacancy.
Votersmustretainjudgesafterthatbyvoteonthegeneralballot.Appointmentscanbe
justaspoliticalaselectionsbutdonotallowthepublictovettheircandidates.Judicial
campaignsshouldbekeptasa-politicalandnonpartisanaspossibleandyetallowthe
peopletodecide.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Appointedforasignificanttermwiththepossibilityofre-appointment(e.g.U.S.
Magistrates).Appointmentbythechiefexecutiveofficerfollowingnominationsfroma
Bar/Business/Citizenscommitteeandthoroughbackgroundinvestigation/vetting.
Bi-partisannominationwithretentionvoteatreasonableintervalsafterappointment.
Ifirmlybelievewemustleavethisuptothepeople-Thepeoplewanttoplayaroleanddo
theircivicduty.
Meritselectionisthebestwaytoensurearespected,qualifiedjudiciaryMostimportantin
thesetimesofjudicialbashing
thepeopleneedtoelect,notjustaselectedhandfullofpeoplethatmaynothaveany
conceptoftheworkingsofthejusticesystem.Alsomakethejudgespossessionanon
partisanpossession.
Theoverwhelmingmajorityofthepublichasnoideaofeitherwhotheirjudgesareorwhat
theyhavedoneoverall.Itisawkwardatbestandunseemlyforjudgesseekingre-election
tobeforcedtofund-raiseandperhapspandertothepublic.Aproperlypolitically-balanced
(neutral/independent)appointingauthorityprocesscanproperlyvetthebest-qualified
individualsforappointmenttothebench.
Appointedwithretain/don'tretainontheballotatgeneralelections.InWyoming(Missouri
plan)wewereabletodisapprovetwodistrictjudgesandasupremecourtjudgewhomwe
thoughttemperamentallyunsuitedtotheirpositions.Systemworkedwell.InMontana,we
havethesickeningspectacleofpartisanbig-moneyadstryingtopackourcourtswithjudges
whowilldecidecasesonideologyovertheruleoflaw.Judgesshouldneverhavetoraise
campaignmoneyorgoaboutspeechifyingtoretaintheirseats.Fairandimpartialjudges
areatadisadvantagewhenopposedbybigmoney'sdirtypoliticsandbumper-sticker
slogansthattakefiveminutescarefulexplicationtorefute.Prominentareadsexcoriatinga
judgeforcoddlingacriminalwhenshewasupholdingtheConstitutionagainstimproper
actsbylawenforcementpersonnel.Bothsystemshavetheirvices,buttheproblemswith
appointmentandretentionballotsarenotassevereasthoseofpureelections.
Politiciansareevenlesstrustedthanthejudicialsystem.Whyaddtotheskepticism?Letthe
people"Jude".
Therearebothidentifiableandlessobviouspressuresonthejudiciary....fundraisingandthe
campaignare,intoday'sworld,unjustifiableriskstotheindependenceofthejudiciaryand
createanindisputableappearanceofimpropriety.Theothertwobranchesofgovernment
providemorethanadequate"publicimpute."
I'vebeenelectedandappointedandseethebenefitsofboth.However,inasystemwhere
thereisawell-respectedcommissionthatvetsnomineesandpassesthosenamesontothe
Governorforappointment,youwillendupwithonlythemostwell-qualifiedindividuals.
Electionsarenotaseffectiveforthejudiciarybecausetheelectorateisnotasinformed
aboutJudgesandJudgesareprohibitedfromgivingtoomuchinformationabouttheir
beliefs.Judicialracesaremuchmoresusceptibletobeingdecidedbasedonnon-meritorious
criteriasuchasrace,sex,1stontheballot.
TheAppointedJudgesinmyStatehavemuchfewerincidentsofcomplaintsthenthe
Electedjudges.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Asanappointedjudgeinatribalcourtsetting,allowingthemembershiptoelectjudges
wouldgivethelargermembershipanopportunitytoprovideavoteofconfidenceandalso
preventthetribalcourtjudgesfrombeingbeholdentotheelectedbody.
Anappointedjudgesystemwouldworkwellaslongasthecandidatesarewellvettedbythe
localorstatebarassociationandappointedincompliancewiththeirrecommendationsand
awayfrompoliticsasmuchaspossible.
Althoughpolitical....stillmoreIndependantthanappointment
Witharetentionvotethereafteronaregularbasis.
Nosystemisperfect.IamanelectedjudgeandIdreadthestressrelatedtoanupcoming
filingperiodandpotentialelection.Butsincethereisnowaytoavoidthepotentialissues
associatedwithanappointmentforapoliticalorpersonalmotivationibelieveandhave
faithintheelectorateprocess.
Butitdepends!
Meritselectionisimportant.Itismuchbetterthanhavingtheabilitytoraisemoneyfora
campaignorhavingnamerecognitiontowinanelection.
Notenoughofthevotingpublichaveanyidealwhotheywouldvotefor.Ibelievelessthat
10percentvotewhenthereareelectionforcountycourtjudges.
Electionsdonotallowforjudicialautonomyindecisionmaking.Whenanunpopular
decisionismade,althoughlegallycorrect,thejudicialofficerwhomustworryaboutbeing
re-electedmaynotmakethelegallycorrectdecision.Theappointingauthoritymustbe
legitimateandnon-partisanandtheremoval/retentionpracticemustberobust.
Iamelectedandfeelitputsyouinanakwardpositiontoaskpeopleformoneyorsupport
andthenseetheminCourt.
throughappropriateprocess-nominationcommittee-backgroundsetc.-
Severalstateshavesystemsinplacetoshieldtheprocessfrombeingoverlypolitical.Judges
whoareelectedandwhodependoncampaigncontributionsandvotestobereelectedwill
alwayshavetheappearanceofaconflictofinterest.
Ivotethiswaywithgreatreservations.Nowthatdarkmoneyisinsinuatingitselfinto
judicialelections,Iamrethinkingthis.Butoverall,Ithinkelectionsarecleanerthan
appointments.Thereisnowaytotakethepoliticsoutofappointments.Nonpartisan
electionsstillworkbetter.
ItrustthepeoplemorethanItrustthepoliticians.
Basedonrecocommendationofanon-partisanselectioncommission.
Judgesshouldbeappointedafterajudicialappointmentcommitteemakes
recommendationsforpotentialgubernatorialappointment,butallsoselectedand
appointedjudgesshouldstandforanon-partisanretentionvoteoneachsuccessiveterm.
Ihavenoproblemwithelectingjudgesonalocallevel,butIthinkstatewideappellate
judgesshouldbeappointed.Theelectorateseemsindifferenttotheseraces,andtheycost
tonsofmoney,whichplacesjudgesandcandidatesintheuntenablepositionofraising
funds.
Appointmentismoreinherentlypoliticalthanelection....justdifferentgroupof"political".
Atleastelectionisaformofsafeguardingtheprocess.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Electedjudgesaresubjecttopoliticalpressures.Asystemofappointmentwithperiodic
retentionvotes,asinColorado,assuresanindependentjudiciary.
Iowahasasysteminwhichjudgesarenominatedbyacommissionandthegovernor
choosesbetweenthenominees.Ibelievethissystemsupportstheselectionbymeritand
hasservedourstatewell.
Ilikethecitizenshavingtheopportunitytovote/electtheirrepresentatives.
Alayerofdiscretionbyanappointingentity,whichitselfpresumablywascreatedbyelected
officials,addsacheckonthevolatilityofpuredemocracy.
Judicialelectionsareverybadforthejudicialsystemandforsocietyatlarge.Appointing
judgesisamuchbetterwaytogo.
Appointed,butwithsecuritythatthelegislativeorexecutivebranchcannotremoveajudge
solelybecauseofthedominantparty'spoliticalphilosophy.Appointedjudgesshouldbe
subjecttoafairandimpartialreviewprocessthatisfreefrompoliticalmeddling.
bothwasnotanoption,butIthinkboth.
Ibelievetheappointmentofjudgesleadstogreaterinvolvementwithpolitics.Inasmall
county,itiseasytocampaignonappropriatejudicialissueslikecasemanagementand
temperament,andleavepartisanpoliticsoutofconsiderationforpurposesofelection.IfI
hadnotrunforoffice19yearsago,Iwouldnotbeajudgetoday.Ihavenostrong
connectiontoapoliticalparty,andIwouldhavebeenoverlookedasawomanof35ina
poolwhichincluded5othercandidates,allmale,ages48-50,runninginthetwoprimaries
foranopenseat.
Thereissimplynowaytocurethebadperceptionraisedbyfundraisingamonglawyerswho
appearbeforejudgesrunningforre-election.
MostofthegeneralpublicdonotknowanythingabouttheJudgesbackgroundsorviewsto
makeaninformeddecisiononwhotovotefor.IseethistimeandtimeagaininthestateI
livein.Althoughpoliticallyfueled,Istillfeelitwouldbeinthebestinterestofjusticeto
appointJudges.Tobeappointed,thejudgesshouldnotbeallowedtomakeanypolitical
contributionstothosewhoappoint.
Elected.Withallitsfaults,publicelectionisstillthebestwaytoinsureaccountability.
Publicelectionalsoraisestheleveloftrustpeoplehaveintheirjudges.
Judgesshouldn'thavetoenterthepoliticalworld.Theyshouldbeindependentandnot
havetogoonacampaigntopersuadevotersastowhatorhowtheywouldrulein
particularsituations.
Dependsonthelevelofjudgetoo.
Anelectionforjudgeswouldbegeneratedbythebiggestfamilyvote.
ThereisaclearneedtokeeppoliticsandpartyinfluenceoutoftheJudiciary.
Makeslittledifference:Ifelected,theyaresubjecttothepoliticalpressuresofthevoters
andpoliticalparties.Ifappointed,theyaresubjecttothepoliticalpressuresofthe
politiciansandpoliticalparties.Eitherway,judgesjusthavetodothe"rightthing"and
hopethey'renotoustedfordoingso.
Judgesmustbeallowedtostayabovethepoliticalfrayandbebeholdingtonoone,butlady
justice.
Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?
Itistheonlywaytodefeatthecorruptlegislaturesandgovernorsappointingunqualified
judges.
Elected,atleastatthestatecourtlevel.Perhapsreplacetheregularcontestedelections
withretentionelectionsaftersomeonehasinitiallybeenelected.
Appointedthruanon-partisanprocess,alongwithretentionelectionsandsubstantive
juridicalevaluationsreports.
Trialcourtlevel.Appellate&SupremeCourtshouldbeappointed.
Iamanelectedjudge.Peoplevotedformebecausetheylikedmysmile,mysigns,orknew
someonewhorecommendedme.Manyvotedformebecausetheyknewme,too.Ethical
limitationsoncampaigningmakeitdifficultforvoterstovetjudicialcandidates.Iwas
nominatedtheyearbeforeIwaselected.Thenominationprocessisrigorousand
appropriateforvettingjudicialcandidates.
Campaignfinancingatalllevelsisoutofcontrolandputsjudgesindifficultyinfundraising.
butifnot,thentheMissouriplan