should judges be elected or appointed? · electing executives that refuses to address money...

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