Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?

Electionprovidestoomuchopportunityforinfluenceandconflictsofinterest.ActuallyIapprovedtheMissourisystemwhereoutstatejudgesareelectedAppointmentsarepoliticalanyways.Ihavebeenappointedtooneseatandelectedtoanotherseat.Elections,eventhoughhighlychargedpolitically,arelesspoliticalthananappointment.withanappointment,thereare"behindthescenes"influences.Electionsarelargelyintheopenandnotsubjecttodealmaking.Judgesshouldbeindependentandshouldnothavetorunforelection.Wehaveacodeofethicsandarelimitedbywhatwecanandcan'tsay.Wecan'tmakepromisesandcan'tprejudgeacase,oftenwhatthoseseekingpoliticalofficedo.Additionally,whoarewemostlikelytoraisemoneyfrom?Thelawyerswhoappearbeforeus.Notagoodpractice.Runningforelectiontakestimeawayfromdoingwhatwearebeingpaidtodo-befairandimpartialjudges,ruleoncasesinatimelymanner,andnotbeswayedbypublicopinion-inessencebeanindependentjudiciary.Alaskausesascreeningsystemtoevaluatecandidateswithdirectparticipationfromlegalcommunitiesandacouncilthatforwardsaslateofthebestcandidatestotheappointingauthorityfromwhichtochoose.Thesystemreducesthelevelofpoliticization.Wehavebeenwell-servedbythissystem.LetthepeopleofmunicipalitiesdecideIbelieveinthepowerofdemocracyandtheabilitytovote.Appointmentislikeananointmentandnotgoodforsociety.Thereistoomuchpoliticizinginthecourtsnow,andthatisashame.IAMANELECTEDJUDGE.BUTFORTHEELECTIONIMAYNEVERBEAPPOINTED.appointmentsaregreatbutusuallyonlyrepresenttheagendaoftheonedoingtheappointment,whileelectionstendtocarrytheincumbentunlessheorshehasdonesomethingwrong.Thecitizenspreferenceistoelecttheirjudges.Thisistherealityinthemajorityofthestates.Thepresentethics/modelrulesaresetuppremisedontheappointedmodelofjudicialservice.Theethicsrulesinstatesthathaveelectedjudgesneedtoberewrittentoaccommodatetherealityonthegroundinaworkablemodelthatrecognizesthedualroleofelectedjudges,thatofpublicelectedservantandjudicialofficer,Thetermsshouldbeaminimumof6years.Accountabilityandtransparencymatterthisavoidsbeing"beholding"tooneappointerappointedthenrunonrecordThecostassociatedwithrunningacampaignrequiresajudgetoraisefunds.Evenwhenacommitteedoesthisonbehalfofthejudge,itisunseemlytoaskformoneyfromthelawyersandpartieswhowillbeappearingbeforeyou.Campaigningrequirestimeawaythefromthebenchwhichstrainsajudiciarywithashortageofjudges.Bothprocedureshavetheirowndrawbacks,buttheelectionprocessismorereliableandisfundamentalinourdemocracy

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Judgesshouldbeappointedusingajudicialselectioncommissionthatevaluatesandrecommendsindividualstothegovernorforappointment.Afterappointmentjudgesshouldstandforaretentionelection3to4yearsaftertheapppointmentHowever,theBarAssociationshouldhavesomeroleintheprocess-suchasmakingbindingrecommendationsof3choicestotheappointingauthority.DespitehavingbeenthroughacontestedJudicialElectionandhavingwon,Istillbelievethattheelectionprocessistheonlycheckandbalancetocounterpurelypoliticalappointments,whethertheappointeeisqualified(ornot).Full-timejudgesshouldbeelected,butpart-timejudgesshouldbeappointed.Itwouldbepointlesstoincurthecostsofanelectioncampaignforapart-timejudgeship.Appointedjudgesinmyexperiencetendtobebetterqualifiedjudgesthanthosewhorunfortheoffice.However,nominatingcommitteesneedtobeasnonpoliticalaspossible.Forexample,shouldn'tallowthegovernortoappoint1/2themembers.Bringsabroaderpooloftalentandremovestheappearanceofimpropietybyseekingcampaigncontributionsfromlawyers.Elected.Tworeasons:(1)MerrickGarland;(2)Accountabilitytopeople,notsystemofelectingexecutivesthatrefusestoaddressmoneycorruptionofpolitics.Ibelievetheyshouldbeappointedandthenrunforaretentionelectionthereafter.Electionandthefundraisingnecessarycreatestoomanyrealorperceivedconflicts.Thissurveyleadstototallyunreliableresults.Inmany,perhapsmoststates,judgesfeelthatgeneraljurisdictionjudgesshouldbeelectedbecausethepubliccaneasilylearnaboutthecandidatesinthelocalarea.However,IfeelverystronglyasdothemajorityofmycolleaguesinallbutperhapsthelargecitiesofPennsylvania,thatappellatejudgesshouldbeappointedbecausetheelectorateseemstobeincapableorunwillingtofindoutaboutthequalificationsofjudgesrunningforhighercourts.Inlightofthat,myansweraboveismisleadingbuttorespondwiththeonlyotherchoiceavailablewouldalsobemisleading.Thereshouldhavebeenacategoryforthosewhowouldwantappellatejudgestobeappointedbuttrialcourtjudgestobeelected.ActuallyinIllinoissomeareelectedsomeappointedwhichworkswellOnceelecteditshouldbeforlifesojudgesdon'thavetoplaypoliticsThispreventstheuneasyethicaldilemmasjudgesmayencounterwiththeirsupportsincourt.IprefertheArizonamethodcombiningappointmentwithretentionelections.Campaigninghasitspitfallssincethecandidatehastorelyonthosesupportingtheireffort.Manytimescampaigningcanprovidethosesupportingacandidatethewrongfulideathatwiththeirsupporttheycanpushforwardtheiragenda,whethercovertlyorotherwise.Withanappointment,thejudiciarycanbefreeofthecampaigninfluenceandremainfullyunbiased.Theappointmentdoesleavemanywiththethoughtthosewhoareappointedareinfluencedorbeholdentotheappointer,butsincejudgesseatstendtooutlivewhicheverpoliticalpartywasinplacewhenappointedtheyarepotentiallyfreeofthatinfluence.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Contestedelectionscreatetheappearanceofjusticeforsale.Thisisabigenoughproblemwiththeotherbranchesofgovernment.Retentionelectionsgivethevotersasayinajudgestayinginoffice.Thejudicialsystemonlyworkswhenitisperceivedasbeingfair.Contestedpoliticalelectionsunderminetheappearanceoffairness.Selectionthroughappointment,thoughpolitical,givesrisetothemost-qualifiedcandidatesforstate-wideandlocaljudicialoffice.Inmystatewehaveboth-appointmentandelection.Ithinkthatisagoodoptionaswell,butIwasn'tgiventhatasachoice.allmembersofthejudiciaryincludingprobateandassistantjudgesshouldbeappointed.ThiswouldallowforapropervettingtobeaccomplishedandwouldbetteraddresspotentialconflictsofinterestsitisallIhaveeverknown;appointmentstoooftenbecomepoliticalfavors.Ifbyelectedyoumeanafewwealthyindividualsbandingtogethertobuyajudgeshiptoassistwiththeirnefariouspursuitofmorewealth,thenIamagainstit.If,however,byappointedyoumeanallowingthethensittinggovernortoappointhisfriendsorfriendsofamajordonortoassisthiminhisreelection,ortofurtherhispoliticalambitions,then,again,Iamagainstit.Appointingjudgeswillremovemuchofthepoliticsassociatedwithelectingjudges.TheprimarygoalistokeeppoliticsoutoftheJudicialprocess.ThiscannotbedonewithGovernorappointmentswhoarepoliticallymotivated.TheCourtsystembelongstothepeoplenottheCourtorthelegislatureorthegovernor.Letthepeoplemaketheirchoiceanddealwiththeirselection.Maybethepublicwillbecomemoreconcernedaboutalltheirelectoralselectionsandrepresentation.Appointedareevenmorepolitical.Oftenmustbebig$contributor,related,orfromsomeinfluenceorpowerbaseinmany(notall)appointmentsystems.Electedshowstrustandrespecttothepublic.Makesjudgesgetoutamongstthefellowmantheyseektositinjudgmentover.AppointedJudgesallowforamoreindependentjudiciary.ButitdependsonwhoisdoingtheappointingandthecriteriausedYouleftoutBOTHAppointedandconfirmedevery8yearsbytheelectorate.ItistheonlywaytotrulyassureJudicialIndependence,ahallmarkoftheRuleofLaw,inthesetroublingtimesforourdemocraticinstitutions.Judgesshouldnotbeinvolvedinpoliticsbutifyouareelectedyoujustviolatedthat.TheyshouldbeelectedandreassignedtoanotherdistrictbyappointmentperhapsThepublic(society)shouldhavetheopportunitytoexamineacandidatesbackroundandexperienceandmakeaninformeddecision.Anappointedjudgeismerelyonewhoiselectedbyasmallnumberofpersonswhowouldthenhaveleverageoverthejudge.thepointofelectedversusappointedjudgesismerelywhowillhavethepoweroverthemthepeopleoraselectnumberofpoliticiansandbarmembersorthepublictheyserve.Clearly,wedon'twantthestatejudgesbecomingamorassofpoliticalshenanigansasfoundinthefederalcourtsbasednotonthelawbutontheirpoliticalmasters.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Neithersystemisideal.Bothcancontributeimportantvaluetothesystem.However,electionsmayyielda"popularitycontest"or"namerecognition"result,withvotershavingnorealideaofthecandidate'slegalknowledge,skill,ortemperament.Appointmentmaybeapoliticalmove,againwithlessvalueplacedonthecandidate'slegalknowledge,skill,ortemperamentthanontheirpoliticalconnectionsandhistory.Ihaveread,heardanddiscussedthemeritsofbothmethodsofselectingjudges,andIacknowledgethemeritofappointingjudges(there'sonlyone,independence),Istronglybelievethatultimately,electingjudgesistheonlywaytoguardagainstanactivistjudiciary,onethatseesconstitutionsandstatutesasimpedimentstoachievingthesocietalgoalsofafew.Onlyajudgewithanagendadrivenbyhisorherpersonalbeliefsorpoliticalorsocietalpressurecouldfind,withinthe7500orsowordsoftheU.S.Constitution(anditsAmendments),arighttoeitherabortionorgaymarriage.NojudgewhofacestheapprovaloftheAmericancitizenattheballotboxcouldsotwist,contort,distortandtortureadocumentwritten230yearsagoinanefforttodiscoverandenumeratesuch"rights."Itisadoubleedgedsword.ObviouslyweallwantthemostqualifiedpersonandmosttimesIbelievethathappens.However,manytimeselectionsareapopularitycontestandappointmentsareapoliticalpowercontest.Howcanjudiciarybeimpartialifdirectlysubjecttopartisanpoliticalpressure?Frompublicallyavailablelistofapplicantsdeemedeligiblebybarpanel.Screeningprocesstoculloutpoliticaltoads,andchildrenoffamousbaseballpitchers.Nolifetimeappointments.10or15yearinitialterm,withpossiblere-appointment(s).TrialCourtsaregenerallybrokendownintoanUppertriallevel,whichhandlesfeloniesandmajorcivilcasesandLowertriallevel,whichhandlemisdemeanorsandminorcivilmatters.Uppertrialleveljudgesandallappellatejudgesshouldbeappointed,byaGovernororLargeJurisdictionChiefExecutivebaseduponnamessubmittedfromabroadbasednon-partisancommittee,whichscreensapplicants.However,IbelievethatLowerleveltrialjudges,whohandlemisdemeanorsandlessercivilcasesmaybeelectedorappointed.Lowerleveltrialjudgesshouldthereafterbeappointedtotheupperleveltrialbenchbasedontheirexperienceandmeritratherthanfromelectedorappointedpartypolitics.Youleftoffthethird-andbestchoice--appointmentfollowedbyretentionelections.Nobrainer.Beenworkingonthistopicfor20years.Hawaiihastheperfectsystem.Uncontestedretentionelectionsafterappointmentareappropriatebutcontestedjudicialelectionsdon'tpassthesmelltest.Whatindependenceinthattypeofsystem?Eitherwayispolitical.Ibelieveholdingelections,especiallypartisanelectionreducetheintegrityofthecourt.Judgesshouldbefreefrompoliticalbiasorinfluenceastheyhearcases.It'sdifficulttoacceptmoneyduringacampaignandthenhearcasesofthosewhogavemoney.Generalpublicisusuallynotfamiliarenoughwiththeperson'sjudicialcharacteristics,andnamerecognitionratherthanexperience/qualificationsreceivesthevote.Thecitizenryshouldalwayshaveavoiceintheirrepresentationofallthreebranches,thisishowdemocracyhassurvived.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Thequestionisshouldoneorafewdecideorshouldthecommunity?Thereisnowaytogetthepoliticsoutofit.Atleastthepeopleofthecommunitycanhaveasay...Livinginacountywhereinwehave7(yes7)JudgeGallaghers(includingonewhohadneversetfootinaCourtroompriortoelection)IthinkjudicialelectionsshouldbetakenoutofthehandsoflemmingvotersandIncompetentpoliticalpartyleadershipthatrefusestoaddresstheproblem.Thequestionistooambiguoustoanswer.Elected?Whatistheprocessofbeingplacedontheballotandhowoften?Appointed?Bywhom;forhowlong;doesretainingtheofficevoterapprovalandifso,howoftenandunderwhatcircumstances?Appointmentviaabipartisancommission(ornonpartisan).Inthealternative,elected,butwithpublicfinancingonly.Afterappointmentajudgeshouldfacearetentionelectiononaregularbasis.IsaythisprimarilybecauseIaminanelectedpositioninKansas.Itwouldbeinappropriateformetoquarrelwiththemethodofmyselection.Thatsaid,Iunderstandtheargumentsagainstelectingjudges,butIseerealbenefitstoelectingjudges.Electedjudgesmaytendtobemoredowntoearthandlessaloofintheirapproachtopartiesandlawyersthanourappointedcounterpartswhodescribetheirselectionmethodas"meritselection."Insmallerjurisdictionslikeminepeopleknowthefolkstheyvoteforandtheyknowwhattheywantinajudge.Electionofjudgesleadstothesamecorruptionasfoundinlegislaturesetc.wherethespecialmoniedinterestsbuytheirrepresentativesorgovernor.Judgesshouldbeabovethepoliticalfrayandnotpartofit.Meritselectionworkswell,althoughthatcanbecorruptedtosomeextentwithenougheffortandmoney.Judgesshouldbeelectedinnonpartisanelections.IhavetoomanydearfriendsonoppositesidesofpoliticsandwasfortunatetorunmyfirstraceinmyState'sfirstnonpartisanjudicialelection.Ithinkthatprovidesthebestopenopportunityforgoodcandidatesofany"registration"toapplyforsuchimportantjobstoservetheactualpeoplethatchoosethemtotaskit.AppointedforlifelikealloftheFederalJudgesandthoseguysinDC.Meritbasedselection.Iwaselected.Thejudgebeforemewasappointedandwasapoliticalfriendofafriend.Theappointeehadabsolutelynolegalexperience--exceptforbeingadefendant.Eitherway,appointedorelected,itis,unfortunately,political.Itiaunseemlyandproductiveofmischiefforjudgestobeelected,becausetheyhavetoraisemoney,primarilyfromlawyers.Muchbettertousethe"MissouriPlan"--appointmentthroughjudicialnominationcommissions.Evenallowingretentionelectionsisproblematicbecauseitchillsjudgesfrommakingunpopulardecisions.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Theybothhavemeritandbothprocessesarepolitical.Ageneralelectionstillrequiresmoneyandhelpofthosewithinfluencebutaanycandidatecansurviveifthepeopledesirechange.Thelastpresidentialelectionisagreatexample.Wewouldhopethosemakingthedecisiononmeritwouldbemoreinformedonissuesandrecordsbut;wealsoknowthatpoliticsinvolvedrulethedayandonlylimitthenumberofplayerswithinfluenceandmoney.It'shardtotrustanysystemwiththatmuchpowerinoursocietytoday.Thewayfederaljudgesareappointedareanexampleofaflawedsysteminmanycases.It'ssimplywhothoseinpowerwantandmeritislastonlistifaconsiderationatall.Therateoferroristhesameasinanelection.Inaperfectworld,forapositionasimportanttothecommunityandsocietyasjudgesinalllevels,thedecisionofjudgesshouldbemadeonmerit.However,ifitwhereaperfectworld,itwouldnotmatterifitwereelection/appointment.Iamanelectedofficialandwhilemymoralfabricismyguidingforce,accountabilitytothepublicispowerful.Anjudgemustbefreetorule,evenwhendoingsoresultsinanunpopulardecision.Appointedjudgestooftenreflecttheinherentbiasoftheappointingauthority.Authoritiesappointthosenotbestormostqualifiedbutthosebestreflectingtheviewsoragendasofpoliticallyelectedofficials.IhavebeeninvolvedinpoliticsforyearsandalwaysthoughtjudgesshouldbeelecteduntilIbecameone.Here'swhyIchangedmymind:Lawyers,nottheelectoratearethefolkswhomostknowifajudgeisgoodorbad.Theelectoraterespondstoisolatedincidents,politicalrhetoricandothernonrelevantmatters.Inordertobeelected,judgeshavetoraisemoneyandtheonlypeoplewhodonatetojudges(otherthantheirfamilies)arelawyers...andgenerallylawyerswhopracticeinfrontofthem.Thishasboththeappearanceofandthepotentialforundueinfluence.Iamnotnaïveenoughtothinkthatappointmentofjudgesiswithoutpolitics,butitisadifferentsetofpolitics.Ifvoterswantjudgesfearlessenoughtomakethedecisionmandatedbythelaw...notbytheslingsandarrowsofpoliticalexpediency,thentheyshouldallowjudgestobeappointed.Ialsorecognizethatthatappointmentofjudgescarrieswiththedangerof"judicialactivism"--thisiswhyjudgesshouldbethoroughlyvettedbycompetentpanelsofqualifiedpersons.This,ofcourse,wouldleaveoutCongress!Iwouldadvocateforalljudgestobeselectedbysometypeofnon-partisan"merit'system.Theappointmentprocesssetoutinthe"Missouriplan"(adoptedinMissouriinthe1940's)remainsthebestofvariousalternatives.Certainlystatesupremecourtandotherappellatecourtjudgesshouldbeappointedthroughamerit-selectionprocess;andtrialcourtsinlargejurisdictionsshouldalsobeappointedthroughamerit-selectionprocess.Acasecanbemadeforelectionratherthanappointmentinsmallerjurisdictions,becausevotersaremorelikelytoknowthereputationsofthecandidates,andarethereforelesslikelytobeswayedbyexpensivemediacampaigns.Inaddition,itcanbemorepoliticallypalatablewhenthestateleansstronglytowardoneparty,butinsomeareas.(Wheretodrawthelinebetween"large"and"small"jurisdictionsisobviouslyaquestion.)However,evenifjudgesareelected,theelectionsshouldbenon-partisan.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?TheFoundersoftheConstitutionrecognizedthedistinctionandtheimportanceofdisassociatingthejudiciarywithpartisanelections.Judgesshouldbeappointedasamatterofcourse,withonepotentialexception--inverysmallcommunities,votersmaybeabletoproperlyevaluatethecandidatesandmakeawisechoice.Both.Idaho'smagistratesystemofappointmentallowsforchoosingqualifiedcandidates,followedbyaretentionvote:"ShouldJudgeJohnSmithberetainedasaMagistrateJudge..."every6yearsallowsforsomepublicoversight.Itisthebestofbothworlds.DEPENDSWHETHERORNOTYOURATRIBALJUDGE.EITHERWAYBEINGAJUDGEISRISKY.ITBECOMESAPOPULARITYCONTEST,IFTHEPEOPLEVOTE,ORIFAPPOINTEDAPOLITICALNIGHTMARE.Iamguessingthatpeoplewillanswerbaseduponwhethertheyhavebeenappointedorelected.AsmuchasIdislikemyanswerasbeingundemocraticandelitist,Ialsodislikeseeingjudgeselectedinincreasinglypartisantimesandbeingfedquestionsabouthowtheywouldruleonissuesweretheytocomeupbeforethem.Therearefartoomanypoliticallitmusteststoday,whenwhatyoureallyneedarefair,balancedjurists.alljudgesshouldbeappointed,exceptthePresidingJusticeorChiefJudge.itwouldbemucheasier,fasterandsimplertoremoveajudgebyanexecutiveorlegislativeboard/committeeforincompetenceor"misfitness";whereas,thechiefjudge/presidingjudgecanberemovedbyimpeachment.Also,manyassociatejudgeshaveclaimed,iftheywereelected,thatsincethepeopleelectedhim/her,he/sheshouldhavethesamepowers/levelofachiefjudge-thechiefshouldnotbethesupervisortotheassociates.Etc.,etc..Theappointiveprocessismuchmorepoliticalthantheelectiveprocess&theappointiveprocessdoesnotprovideforanyaccountability.IwenttolawschoolinTexas,andhavepracticedthere,butmymainpracticehasbeeninNewMexico.Texaselectsalloftheirjudges,whileNewMexicoelectssomejudges,andhasamodifiedappointment-election-retentionprocessforothers(districtandappellate).Iknowjudgesinbothstateswhoaregreatjudges,andareacredittothejudiciaryandtojustice.Myopinionhasnothingtodowithanycertainjudges.Thatsaid,thereisnoquestioninmymindthattheelectionprocessiswrong.Judgesshouldbeappointed,andmayfaceretentionelectionsthereafter.Electingjudgesturnsthemintopoliticianstryingtopersuadevoters,andafterelection,leadstothecomplaint(sometimesdeserved)thattheyarerulinginordertosatisfytheirconstituents.Judgesshouldnothaveconstituents.Fortherecord,Iamnowajudgemyself,havingbeenappointed,elected(withnoopposition)andfacemyfirstretentionelectionin3years.Politicsplaysapartineitheroption,butinaruraljurisdictionlikeminecandidatescanstillknockondoors,attendcommunityevents,participateinforums,andotherwisedemonstratetheirqualificationstothevotersinwaysthatarelegitimate,honorable,fair,meaningfulandcost-effective.Appointedthenstandforretention.Thisde-politicizesthejudicialbranch,perhapsnotcompletely,butfarmorethananelectedjudiciary.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Whilethereareflawswithbothsystems,atleastwithanappointmentsystemanapplicationiscompleted,abackgroundcheckisdone,andthecandidatesarevettedsothoseappointedmeetminimumstandardsasaqualifiedcandidate.Withelection,littleisknownbythepublicaboutjudicialcandidates,anddecisionsaremadebasedonappearance,signs,politics,andotherfactorswhichdonotrelatetowhichcandidateismorequalifiedandwilldoabetterjob.Iamfinewithnonpartisanretentionelectionsafterappointment,hopefullywithmeritscreening,butjudgesshouldneverbeelectedoroustedinpartisanpoliticalelections.Aslongasit'snotapoliticizedprocessAppointedusingjudicialselectioncommissionwithretentionelectionafterwardsbestofbothsystemsAppointmentoftenendsupgoingtothepersonwhodonatedalargeamountofmoney,orwhohasthemostpoliticalconnections.Votinglet'sthepeopledecide.Thepoliticalissuesofappointmentaside,electionhasthegreatestimpactonjudicialindependence.Ithinkjudgesshouldbeappointed,andwiththevoterslaterdecidingwhetherthejudgesshouldberetained.Judgesshouldn'thavetoworryaboutwinningapopularitycontestwiththeelectorate,butshouldbefocusedonfollowingthelaw.Judgesshouldnothavetoworryaboutlosingtheirjobsbecauseofunpopular,butlawfuldecisions.Whilepoliticscanneverbecompletelyeliminatedfromtheprocess,eliminatingtheneedforlargesumsofmoneyrequiredtorunacampaignalsoeliminatestheimpropermoneydriveninfluencesplaceduponajudiciaryworryingaboutre-election.Thedistractionandpotentialforconflictsofinterestinherentincampaignfundraisingmakejudicialelectionsextremelyproblematic.Appointedafternominationbyindependentnonpartisancommissionorsimilarentity,whichhasauthorityandresourcestoinvestigatesuitabilityofcandidates.Judges,atleastatthecounty-trialcourtlevelshouldbeelectedinorderfortheretobeaccountabilitytothepublic.Hopefully,appointingofficialswilldeterminethequalificationsofapplicantstomakecertainthattheyarequalified.Theelectionprocesstotallyfailsatthat.Nominatedbyacitizen'snon-politicalboardbasedonqualifications,appointedbythegovernorfromthenomineesselectedandretainedthereafteratgeneralelectionThisshouldbeaneasyanswer--IknowmostjudgesinmeritselectionstateswouldneverhaverunforofficeAnonymous-Beingelectedrequiresthepublicgettingtoknowyou.Beingappointedjustmeansyouknewtherightpeople.Unfortunately,thepublicdoesnotevengetanopportunityinitiallytohaveanyinput.Withanelectiononlytoretain.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?ItisgenerallyacceptedthatJudgesshouldmakedecisionsonlyonevidenceproperlybeforethemandonaconscientiousunderstandingofthelaw.Ifthejudgeiselected,ormuststandforretentionelection,thenthejudgewillbeundergreaterpressuretopromisetoissueortoissuepoliticallycorrectdecisions.Electedjudgesmustbecognizantofandmustcombatimplicitbiasinfavorofwhatispoliticallycorrect,e.g.,toughoncrime.Theethicalissueswithanelectedjudiciaryappeartobeinsurmountable.Ibelievethatappointingjudgesbymeritcreatesahigherqualitybench,iftheappointeeshavebeenpeerreviewed.Italsotakespoliticsoutofthejudicialprocess.Judgesarefreetomakesoundlegaldecisionswithoutconsideringforpoliticsandreelection.Letthepeoplespeakthroughourdemocracy.Thisiscomplicated,but,asexplainedtomebyourfirst-appointedPublicDefenderwhospentover50yearsonthatjob:"Wetrusttheelectoratetodecideallotherpositions".That'smystory,andI'mstickingtoit.Thereareproblemswithboth.Ourappointedjudgesaremorepoliticalthanthosewhoareelectedbythepublicandnotbeholdentopoliticalpowerswhoputthemin.PertheMissouriPlanwithelectionstoretain/notretain.Thissystemallowsforgreaterjudicialindependencebyavoidingtheappearance(ifnotreality)ofjudgeswhoare"paidfor"inadvance.Thesystemalsopreventsthepoliticalmudslingingthatcomeswithelectionswhichultimatelyundercutsthepublicperceptionofjudicialofficers.Assuming,forcourtsofgeneraljurisdiction.Forothers,aperiodicreviewbytherelatedboardofcommissionorothergoverningbody(withsomeappropriatetenureprotections)shouldreplacestandardcivilserviceprotectionsforappointedjudges.Appointedjudgeshaveabetterchanceatbeingindependentandnotbeholdentoapartyororganization.TriallevelIhaveservedinbothcapacities.IwasappointedforanALJpositionforthedeptoflabor.Theexperiencewasverypoliticaltoevengettointerviewandthenattheinterviewitbecameevenmorepoliticalastowhattheexpectationswouldbe.Itwasdiscouragedtobejudiciallyindependent.Ileftthatpositionafterservingfor1.5yearsandeventuallyranformyelectricdistrictcourtseat.Votersbetterunderstandthegiveandtakethatajudgeisrequiredtohear,weighandconsider.Votersunderstandimplicitbias.Votersarewhoappearbeforejugesmoreoftenthanlawyers.Moreandmorecasesinvolveproserieslitigantsorfamilies.Yestrial,defense,prosecutorsdefenders,malpractice.....lawyershelpsupportcampaignshowevertheactualclienteleappearingbeforethebencharevoters.JudgesarehumanandthoseappointedorelectedexperiencefailuressometimesalltoopubliclyHowever,Iamnotinfavorofa"privatepolitics"situationlikewehaveinAlaska.AgroupofindividualsdoesthevettinganddecideswhogetsforwardedtotheGovernorforappointment.ItissometimesveryclearthereisapoliticalaspecttoitandIthinkitisflatoutwrongforasmallgroupofpeopletobeengaginginprivatepolitics.withgoverningbipartisancommittees

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?It'sthebestwaytokeepjudgesaccountabletothepublictheyserveandtoavoidthepitfallsofpoliticalcronyism.And,yes,Ihateraisingmoneytorunacampaignbutpreferthetransparencyofcontributionsbeingapublicrecordvs.thebehind-the-scenespolitickingthatgoesoninpureappointment/retentionelectionsystems.Appointmentwithretention(Missourimodel)providesaccountabilityandkeepsmoneyandpoliticsoutofjudicialselection.Anappointmentsystemtypicallyhasavettingprocesstoassurethattheindividualisqualified.Inanelectionsystemacandidatehastoonlymeetpositionrequirements,suchassignatures,togetontheballot.Theappointmentsystemisnotperfect,e.g.appointmentofJusticeGorsuch,butoverallitisbetterthanhavingthebestpoliticianbecomingajudgeinsteadofthemostqualified.MuchsaferIassumeyouarespeakingofnonappellatejudges.Ifso,theyshouldbeelectediftheyhavesuccessfullypassedtheirBarAssociationplebiscite.Nopoliticalpartyshouldsupportacandidateforjudgewhodoesnothaveafavorablebarassociationrating.AppellatejudgesshouldbeappointedfromanindependentlyrecommendedgroupmadeupoftheDeansofALLthestatelawschools,thePresidentofthestatebarassociation,theSpeakerofbothhousesofthelegislatureandformermembersofalltheappellatecourtsofthestate.Whilegeographicalbalanceisdesired,Idon'tknowhowitcanberealisticallyachieved.Thehighcostofrunningacampaigndiscouragessomereallytalentedattorneysfromrunningforoffice.Itseemstobearealconflictwhenthepersonrunningforajudicialpositionasksforcontributionsfromattorneysintheirareaknowingthoseattorneyswilllikelyappearbeforethatjudge.Whenthejudgesareappointedthereisagreaterlikelihoodthattheyarecompetenttoserve.Iwasoriginallyappointedtomypositionandthereafterhadtoruntoretaintheposition.Neitheroptionisidealbuthavingappointedjudgesseemstobetterservethepublic.I'mreallynotcertainthereisanickel'sworthofdifferencebetweenelectedandappointed.Whichofthesenotionsisthelesserofthetwoevils:thatelectedjudgesarebeholdentotheelectoratemajority,bigcampaignspendersandpoliticallypopularprinciples;orthatappointedjudgesarebeholdentotheelectedofficialswhomakeandapprovetheappointments,politicalpartyinsidersandpoliticallycorrectcommitments?Iwentthroughacontestedelectionatmyfirsttermandhavebeenthroughthreeuncontestedelectionssincethen.SoIhavebeenabletostayoutofthepoliticalfrayandmaintainjudicialindependenceandobjectivity.Butifappointingauthoritiescouldsomehowbeinsulatedfrompressuresandinvolvementofpoliticalpartiesandotheroutsideforces,thenIbelievethatappointingjudgeswouldbethepreferableprocessforfillingjudgeshipswithmoreintelligent,dignifiedandqualifiedcandidatesandwouldinstillgreaterpublicconfidenceinthejudiciary.Appointmentcanleadtocorruption,favorsandpaybacksTrialcourtjudgesshouldbeelected,inpartbecauseadiligentcandidatecanreasonablyacquainthimselfofherselfwiththeelectorate.However,appellatecourtjudgesshould(probably)beappointed.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Thegeneralpublichasnoideaandnovalidinformationuponwhichtoplaceanintelligentvote.Actually,IliketheMissouriplan.Judgesinsmallercircuitsareelected.Judgesinlargemetropolitanareasareappointed.Insmallercircuits,thecandidatesareknownandaccessible.Theirreputationisknowntoeveryone.Largecircuitsaredifferent.Itisveryexpensivetorunacampaign,andreputationisnotaseasilyascertainable.UseMissouri/AlaskaappointmentmethodwithaJudicialqualificationrecommendationandlaterretentionvoteonly.Thepublicshouldbeentitledtoelecttheirjudgesonanon-partisanbasis,freefromthevagariesoftheswingsofpoliticalfortune.Meritoriousappointmentistheappropriatemodethatensuresjustice.Electedofficersareoftensubjecttothepoliticalintriguesofthepartyunderwhichtheywereelected.Althoughappointmentdoesn'ttakethepoliticsoutofselectingjudges,itdoestakealotofthecampaigningandfundraisingawayandminimizesconflictsorappearancesofimpropriety.judicialindependanceIamanappointedjudge.Icannotfathomhowanelectedjudgecouldbeexpectedtoremainneutralinacasewhereoneofthepartieswasasignificantcontributortohisorherelection.Also,Ifinditdifficulttounderstandhowelectedjudgescouldcampaignwithoutdisclosinghowheorshewouldbelikelytoruleoncertainissuesthatcouldcomebeforethem.Notevenaclosequestion.RUNNINGANELECTIONBORDERSONCONDUCTCONTRADICTORYTOOURRULESOFPROFESSIONALRESPONSIBILITY-REQUIRESREQUESTFORFUNDS,WHICHMUSTBEDONEBYOTHERS,BUTTHEWHOLEAFFAIRRESULTSINREQUIREMENTSTHATPOLITICIZEAPOSITIONTHATISSUPPOSEDTOBENEUTRAL-ITISUNCOMFORTABLEATBEST-ARETENTIONELECTIONWOULDBEBETTERTHANAGENERALELECTIONTheanswertothisquestiondependsonthetypeofjudgeshipatissue.Judgesinspecialtyfields(i.e.Bankruptcy,Admiralty,Probate,etc)shouldalwaysbeappointedfromamongcandidatesqualifiedtopracticeintheirspecializedfields.Thisallowsefficiencyinproceedingsasthejudgeandthepartieswillallbefamiliarwiththeapplicablelawandshorthandtermsusedinthefield.Generallawjudgescanbeappointedorelected,thereareweaknessesinbothmethods.Areasonablebalancemaybeaprocesswheregenerallawjudgesareappointed,andthensubsequentlystandforretentionelections.Appointingajudgetakesthepoliticsoutofthejob.Easierontheconscientious.Both!I'msurprisedthisisn'tanoption.Appointedjudgesareinsulatedfromvoterswhims,butelectedjudgeswon'tstayinofficeifthey'relazyorjudicialactivists.Meritbasedselectionfarandwidebetterprovidesforfairandimpartialjudgesunhinderedbyfeelingsofobligationtodonors/contributorsinajudicialcampaign.Further,itkeepspoliticsoutofthejudiciary.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Eithersystemproducesthesameshareofbothexcellentandterriblejudges.Thereexistsvalidargumentsforbothsystemsbutbothinvolvepoliticsintheselectionprocess.YoumusteitherchoosethepoliticsofthefeworthemanyElectionistheonlywayjudgesmayultimatelybeheldaccountabletoandbythepeopletheyserve.Eithersystemhasitsadvantagesanddisadvantages.Intheend,Ichose"elected"becauseIwouldratherputtheissueinthehandsofthevotersratherthanabureaucracy.Bothsystemshaveavailabilityforcorruption.Iwishthereweremorelimitsontheamountofmoneythatcanbespentonjudicialelections.Rightnow,ifyouhaveenoughfamilymoneyyoucanbuyabench,inanelection.Ifyouhaveenoughmoneyyoucanalsobuyabenchinanappointedsystem,becauseyoucancontributemoneytothoseelectedofficialsthatmaketheappointments.Intheend,Ihavetotrustthevotersmore.Thecurrentpoliticalclimateshouldremindusallofhowindependenceofthejudiciaryandtheperceptionofthatindependenceissocriticaltotheruleoflaw.AlthoughIknowmanyofmycolleaguesinotherstatesareelectedandtheircharacterisbeyondreproach,theperceptionofundueinfluenceisharmfultothejudicialbranchasawhole.RecentcommentsIhaveheardthatSupremeCourtJusticesandothersonthefederalbenchshouldbeelectedareindicativeoftheperceptionthattheelectionofjudgesallowsthepublictoholdswayoverjudgesandthesubstanceoftheirdecisions.Gettingjudgesoutofthepoliticalarenabydoingawaywithelections-whetherbypartyornonpartisan-canonlyleadtomoreimpartialjudiciaryletthepeoplepickwhowilljudgethemIbelieveitisthebestsystemwhenit'sdonerightwithabipartisannominatingcommitteemadeupoflawyersandnonlawyers.Judgesshouldbeappointedinanon-partisanmanner.Anelectedjudiciarydoesvery,verylittletopromoteconfidenceamongthepublicthatwewillbewillingorabletoprotecttheminorityfromthetyrannyofthemajority.Although,Iamelected,Ibelievethatanappointedjudgescenarioisbetteraslongasthereisaretentionvote.Unfortunately,eitherappointedorelectedyouhavethepotentialforcroniesorunqualifiedindividualsgettingontothebench.Electionsmakethejudicialselectionprocesstoopolitical.Ibelievethatreallycompromisestheperceptionsofourimpartiality.IthinkjudgesshouldbeelectedbutIdon'tthinktheyshouldcampaign!Judgesshouldreflectthecommunitiestheyserve,whichdoesnotnecessarilyhappenunderanappointmentsystem.Votersshouldbetheultimatedecisionmaker.JudgesshouldnothaveaplatformtorunuponElectionbydefinitionmakejudicialofficerssubjectpoliticalpressure.Thefederalmodelprovidesmoreassuranceofseparationofthejudicialbranchfromthelegislativeandexecutivebranches.Ajudgeshouldnothavetoconsiderthepoliticalfallout.S/heshouldonlybefocusedonprecedentandequity,ifs/hehasgeneraljurisdiction.Ifeelstronglythatjudgesshouldoverwhelminglybehiredbasedonmerit.Electionsarepopularityconteststhatmayusherinunqualifiedapplicants.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Judgesshouldbeappointedtoavoidhavingpoliticsplaytoobigarole.Whilepoliticsneverwillbecompletelyeliminated,appointmentinvolvesless.Judgesneedtobeheldaccountabletothepublictheyserve.Theprimaryargumentagainstelectedjudgesisthattheyaresubjecttopartisanshipissues.However,myexperienceisthatinpracticetheoppositeismoretrue.Myexperienceisthatappointedjudgesaremorelikelytoactoutontheirpoliticalbiasbecausetheyarenotaccountabletobeingvotedoutforsuch.Incontrast,electedjudgesknowthat,ingeneral,thepublicexpectsthejudgetobenonpartisanandtoalwaysactinanindependentandjudiciallyfairway.Therefore,ifanelectedjudgeletshispoliticsintohisdecisionmaking,hehastherealityhewilllikelynotbereelected.IthinkthisisespeciallytruewiththephilosophysomejudgeshaveinthattheConstitutionisan"evolving"document.Inshort,thatwouldmeanthatthelawissubjecttochangeasour"understanding"changesorbecomesmoreenlightened.Thatideologyisripeforjudicialabuseasitcanallowajudge'spoliticalleaningstoinfluencehisdecisionmakinginsteadofsomeobjectivestandardoftheplainmeaning,ortruthoftheoriginalintentandpurpose,oftheconstitutionorlaw.Ithinkwehavebetteropportunityforhavingqualifiedjudgeswhenthereisabi-partisancommissionprocess,madeupofdiverseindividualswithexpertise/experienceinagivenareaoflawwhereyouhavespecializeddivisionsinthecourt.Therehastobeaprocessofaccountabilityhowever,andretentionelectionsmayprovidethatbalance.Finally,somesystemsperformbestunderadualprocessthatprovidesforscreeningofqualifiedapplicantsandanelectionprocess.However,toensuretheimpartialityofthejudiciaryitwouldbebeneficialtohavepublicfinancingforsuchpositions,andperhapslongertermsthan2-4years.Appointmenttakessomeofthepoliticsoutoftheequation.Fundraisingforajudicialpositionisjustsounseemly!D.C.hasanominationcommissionthatmustsubmit3namestotheappointingauthority(inourcasethePresidentoftheU.S.,elsewhereitwouldbethegovernor).Thishasworkedverywellforover40years.Itisamuchbettersystemthanelectionsornakedappointmentbytheappointingauthority.Judicialindependenceisessential;electionsundermineit.Ibelievethereisgreaterdiversitywithelections.However,I'mbeginningtothinkthatahybridofthetwowouldbethebestchoice.Thereisnoperfectsystemforselectingjudges;however,Istillthinkthatthelocalvotersshouldbethecheckandbalanceonthesystem.Ajudgethatdoesnotfunctionwellpersonallyorprofessionallywillalwaysbereplacedbytheelectorate.Mightnothappenwhenappointmentsaremadeonamorepoliticallevel.Iwasappointedinitiallyandthenelectedeveryfouryears.Idon'tknowthatIcouldhavecompetedagainstagoodpoliticianatthepolls.Wedohaveopenelectionsinmyjurisdiction.Occasionallywegetacandidatewhohasmoremoneythanqualifications.Thankfullytheyrarelywinbutthethoughtofhavingsomeoftheseideologicalcandidatesseizeajudgeshipbyappealingtopopularthemesisfrightening.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Appointmentafterarigorousreviewprocess(asexistsinsomestates,includingAlaska)thatincludespublicinputwithperiodicretentionelectionsthereafterworksverywellandstrikesafairbalancebetweendepoliticizingthebenchandyetallowingforsignificantpublicinvolvement(especiallyintheretentionprocess).Judgesaretobeindependentandnotbeholdentoanyone,especiallypeopleorentitieswhichhelpthemgetelected.electedincounties.appointedforstatewidepositionsonappealscourtsCertainly,ifprovidedforintheirstateconstitutions.Inordertomaintainanindependentjudiciaryjudgesneedtobenon-partisanandattainthebenchinamannerotherthanpoliticalappointmentsoftheexecutiveandlegislativebranches,whichbytherenaturearepartisan.Openelectionsobviouslybenefitthewealthyorthosewithaccesstofinancialbacking,andtheintroductionofdarkmoneyintotheelectionprocesshasmadeallofuselectedjudgesandthosesubjecttoretentionelectionssittingducks.Electionsarenotperfect,butuntilsomeonecomesupwithanon-politicalappointmentprocessandamoreefficientwaytoremovejudgesfromthebenchthatshouldnotbethere,electionswillhavetosuffice.Ithinkappointmentwithvoterretentionistherightwaytogo.Itensuresthatpoliticsstayoutoftheselectionprocessbutallowsthevoterstovoteagainstretentionifsomeoneisnotdoingagoodjob.Thequalificationandexperienceofajudgeisvitaltohis/herappointment.Also,thetemperamentmustbeconsidered.Conversely,theelectionofajudgeismoreofapopularityvote.Itdoesnotconsiderthejudge'soverallexperience,decisionmaking,andtemperament.WeareoneofthefewcountiesinKansasthatareelected.Anothercountytypicallyhasmultipleelectionracesandtheyspendaconsiderableamountofmoney.Guesswerealizewherethefundscomefrom.YourquestiondoesnotgivetheoptionofasystemliketheStateofColoradohas.InColorado,thejudgesareappointedforaninitialtermof3yearsandthenthevotershavetheopportunitytodecideifthejudgeshouldberetained.Ifthejudgereceivesafavorablevote,thenheorsheisreappointedforatermof7years.Idolikethesystem,butifIhavetochooseIwouldselectappointed.Oneunpopulardecisionbyajudge,eventhoughitwasafairtrialandfollowsthelaw,cangethimorhervotedoutofoffice.Anappointmentprocessrelievessome,butnotallof,thepolitics.FOROPENSEATS:Electedafterbeingratedbyajudicialratingcommittee.Thegoalisqualified,fair,independentjudges.Electionsworkagainstthisgoal.Thejudiciaryshouldbefreefrompoliticalretributioninperformingitsduty.Thejudiciaryshouldbeameritocracy,notapopularitycontestsubjecttofundraising.BothhavetheiradvantagesanddisadvantageshoweverasabottomlineItrustthepeopletopickmorethanthepoliticans

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Hybridappointment.50%appointment,50%lotteryandhybridappointment.Electionbringintoplaypolitics,moneyandtheappearanceofquidproquo.Ontheotherhandappointmentsopenthedoortofavoritismandnepotism.Ithinkthattheirshouldbesomeappointmentsandalottery.Objectivequalificationscraftedtobeinthejudiciallotteryshouldbeestablishedsuchas,licensure,numberofyearspracticed,specialtyifany,etc.,similartothequalificationsforpresidency.Thisallowsforadiversegroupofjudges(notjustprosecutors)tobeselectedbaseduponthecriteriacrafted.Thenoncethelotteryisfinishedthenthesubjectiveinterviewsareheld.Notbaseduponfactualevidenceoftheobjectivecriteriabutmoretowardsjudicialdemeanor,bias,judicialqualities,etc.Thejudiciallotteryshouldalsoincludealocalecomponentsothatjudgesareselectedfromdiversecommunities.First,candidatesvettedbyanimpartialcommittee.Next,namessenttoexecutiveofficetochose.Trialjudgesshouldbeelectedevery4years;Appellatejudgesshouldbeappointedwith6yearretentionballots;SupremeCourtJudgesshouldbeappointedforlife.Themoreredthestate,thegreaterneedforlifetenure.Improvesaccountability.Theroleofajudgerequiresanindividualtointellectuallyanddispassionatelydiscernthefactsandtofaithfullyapplythelawaccordingtothosefacts.Electionsundermineconfidenceinthejudiciaryasitisimpossiblenottoassumethatelectedjudgesmayfeelbeholdentotheunduepressureofavocaland/orpowerfulconstituency.Electionscreateaninherentconflictofinterestforajudgewhencalledupontomakeanunpopulardecision.Iamanelectedjudgeonapartisanballotabouttorunformythirdterm.Thisisnowaytoobtainajudge.Otherthanpartyaffiliationandincumbency,votershavelittleifanyclueastothemeritsofaparticularjudgeorcandidateforajudgeship.Itwouldseemtomethatmeritselectionandretentionelectionwouldbethebetteralternative.IamanappointedJudge.InthisstatetheGovernorshavebeenverygoodnottoletpartisanpoliticsorspecificissuesinfluenceappointments.Concernaboutethicsoffundraisinginelectedjudgesjurisdictions.Theelectionofjudgescanandwillresultinasignificanterosionofjudicialindependence.ThepublicshouldnothavetoworryaboutladyJusticelosingherobjectivityduringelectionseasonbypeekingoutfromunderherblindfoldtoseewhichwaythepoliticalwindsareblowing,especiallyintimeswhenpoliticalleadershavedecidedtheymaygainpoliticaladvantagesbybeingcriticalofdedicatedpublicservantswhoservethejudicialbranch.Appointedjudgesarecarefullyvettedthroughselectioncommitteesandinputisobtainedfromnumeroussourcesinvolvedwiththejudicialbranch.Theythereforetendtobeconsistentlybetterqualifiedandnotbeholdentothespecialinterestgroupsresponsibleforputtingandkeepingtheminoffice.ElectedJudgesmustsolicitmoneyfromcontributors(viaashamcommittee)andarepotentiallytaintedandbeholdentocontributors.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Ourfoundingfathershaditrightbyappointingfederaljudgesratherthansubjectingthemtoelections.Appointmentsarepoliticalbuthavingthepoliticalinfluenceatthefrontendoftheprocessatleastinsulatesjudgesfrompoliticalinfluencesdowntheroadthatmightactuallyaffecttheirjudgments.Ihaveseenfartoomanyjudgesissuerulingsbaseduponconsiderationsofhowthatjudgmentwillimpactupontheirchancesforre-election.Considerationsofpoliticsshouldneverintojudicialdecision-making.Politiciansshouldagreeonabi-partisanappointmentcommitteewithrepresentativesfromthebar,thecommunity,andothersectorstomakeappointmentdecisions.Whilethatprocessisnotperfect,itsafeguardsthecandidateoncetheyareajudgefrompoliticalinfluence.Havingtocampaigneverytermandraisemoneyfromlawyersandotherscorruptstheprocess.Judgesshouldnothavetoseekfinancialsupportfromanyplayersinthesystemorinthecommunity.Workonfine-tuningtheappointmentprocesstomakesureitisopenandaccessibletoallsortsofcandidatesandthatitisimmunefromcontrolbyonepartyortheother.Buttakethepoliticsoutoftheprocessofjudgingcompletely.Appointediswaymoreofapoliticalgame.Afterafairandunbiased,lol,process.Athoroughprocessthatthepubliccanparticipate.Myvoteisbasedontheassumptionthatjudicialcandidateswouldbethoroughlyscreenedbyanimpartial,nonpartisancommittee,andthatthegovernorwouldbeobligatedtoselectfromthosecandidatesrecommendedbythecommittee.Meritselectionbringsgreaterdiversitytothebenchthanbothpartisanandnon-partisanelectionsandencouragesexceptionallywellqualifiedindividualstoapplywhootherwisewouldnot.Witharetentionvoteeverysooften(6years)theappointmentofjudgescreatesbalancereducestheinherentconflictcreatedbyelectingjudges.Judgesshouldbeindependentofallpoliticalpressuresandbasetheirdecisionsonthefactsandthelawratherthanpopularopinion.Insomestates,thegovernorandthelegislativebodyarefartoopoliticaltobemakingdecisionsaboutjustice;thebothfavorfriendsandseekrevengeonthoseinopposition.Toooften,thevastmajorityofthepeoplewantonething,buttheelectedofficialswhowouldnominateandaffirmjudgesareobligatedtovoteacertainwayinordertogettheirownlegislationpassed.Letthepeopledecide!Promisestothepeoplearetoeasytogiveupwhenelected.Electionscostmoney.Anytimethere'smoneyinvolvedthere'salwaysthequestionofimpartialityandwhetherornotacampaigncontributioninfluencedorappearedtoinfluenceajudge'sdecision.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Appointedjudgesgothroughavigorousvettingprocess.Althoughtheappointmentprocessisnotperfectandgivebetterchancestothosewhohavetherightpoliticalconnections,itisstillafarbetterprocessthanthroughelection.Whereas,withanelection,thepublicisnotnecessarilywellinformedaboutthecandidatesandtheindividualswithmoneyforslatesandmailerstendtocomeoutahead.Also,withanelectionprocess,thejudicialpositionbecomepoliticized.Judicialcandidatesareoftencalledupontotakepositionsonissues(e.g.abortion,guncontrol,deathpenalty...etc)thatjudicialcandidatesshouldnotethicallygive.Unlessanduntilthereisamethodinwhichjudicialelectionsarenotpoliticizedandacampaignlimitisplacedonthejudicialelectoralprocess,theappointmentmethodisbyfarmoresuperior.WhyshouldJudgesbeabovedemocracy?Botharethesame,theonlydifferenceisthesizeoftheelectorate.Withappointmentsallowedformidtermvacancies.Limitoncampaigncontributionswouldbenice.LetthepeopledecidenotwellfundedPAC's.itdependsonthejurisdictionandwhatisimportanttothecitizensofthatcommunityThisiscomplexbutIfeelthatacombinationofappointmentwithsomepoliticalaccountabilityisappropriate.Inmystate,theGovernorhastheabilitytofillmostvacanciesbyappointment;however,thenewjudgemustthenstandforaretentionelection.Additionally,judgesmustrunforre-electioneverysixyears.Ibelievethissystem--whencombinedwithstrict,non-partisanjudicialethicsrulesthatapplytoanyelectoralcandidatefortheposition--isthebestIhaveseen.Iaminterestedtoseetheopinionsofmycolleaguesandtolearnmoreaboutwhatthebestsystemmightbe.Judgesaretobeneutral.Whydopersonsrunningforjusticeofthepeacehavetorununderapartyaffiliation?ItgivesanappearanceofimproprietyIbelieve.Doesn'tthejudgehavetoserveallpeople?inavotingballot,whyistheSuperiorCourtjudgenotunderapartyaffiliationlikeaJPis?Ican'timaginebeinganelectedjudge,withtheattendantcontestedelections,necessaryfundraisingandrelatedrealities.Meritbasedcommission/appointment/retentionseemstometobebestsuitedtoresultinqualifiedjudicialapplicants,andtominimizethepoliticalpartsoftheprocess.Ibelieveifyouareelected,itwouldbedifficulttobefairandneutraloratleasthavetheperceptionassuchforthosethatdonatetoyourcampaign.Icanseenegativesinherentineithermethod.AsanAssociateMagistrateforanelectedChief,IcantellyoudefinitivelyandwithMANYconcreteexamplesinsupportofmyposition,thatatleastinmyexperience,theelected"politicianChief"wasnottrulyorproperlyinterestedinanyconceptevenremotelyresembling"justice"whereincertain"protected"individuals(includingfamily/extendedfamily)wereconcerned.Theresultbeingrepeatedegregiousandotherwiseinexplicablemiscarriages.Theholdingofofficebecamenothingmorethanaquidproquopopularitycontesthavingnosemblanceofjudicialethicsadherencebehindthepublicfacade.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Theelectoralprocessallowsanuninformedelectoratetovoteoncandidatesbasedonopinionsshapedbymarketingcampaignsandcampaigncontributionsfromspecialinterestgroups.Appointedwitharetentionelection.Judgesofstateandappellatejurisdictionshouldbeelected.Judgesoflimitedjurisdictionsuchasmunicipalcourtandjuvenilecourtshouldbeappointed.Electionsinjectpoliticsintothejudicialprocess,whichleavesmanywiththefeelingthatjusticeisn'tblind.Byhavingtoworryaboutbeingre-elected,judgesmaymakedecisionsthatwillreceivemajoritysupport,notthatactuallyservethegreatestgood.Also,electionsrequiremoney;moneymeansseekingdonations;donationsleavetheimpressionthatjudicialdecisionscanbebought.Anelectedjudgewillbeknownbythecommunityandwilllikelyknowhis/herhistoryasacommunitymemberaswellaslegalexperience.Whilebothsystemshaveissues,anappointedbenchfromwhichapplicantsarevettedbyanindependentmerit-basedselection/retentionprocessispreferredoverasystemwhichincorporatesallofthepoliticalaspectsoftheelectionprocess,i.e.,fundraising,campaigning,advertising,potential&actualconflictsofinterest,aswellas,perceived&actualimpactonindependentjudicialdecision-making,etc.,.....Althoughtheappointingauthority,eitherthegovernor,chiefjusticeorsomeotherindependentbody,isperfectlyentitledtomaketheselectionwhichmaynotbeentirelyfreefrompoliticalinfluence,thecandidateselectednonethelesswillhavecomefromalistofapplicantsdeemedqualifiedforjudicialofficebaseduponthebreadth&qualityoftheirlegalwork,theirdemeanor&temperament,aswellas,otherrelevantpersonalandprofessionaltraits.Difficultquestionwithoutmoreinformationbutonthewholetheyshouldbeappointedwithaterm-limitofsomedurationintheorderof20years;lifetimeappointmentsarenotagoodthingfortoomanyreasonstolisthere.Caveat-courtsoflimitedjurisdiction,whereattorneysarenotrequired,shouldhaveaninitialnon-partisanelectionwithretentionelectionsandterm-limits.ElectedamountstoaJudgerunninginapopularitycontest.Atrueappointmentprocessshouldincludetestingandinterviewstodeterminethecandidate'squalifications.Elected.It'smyunderstandingthatifappointed,thereisafeeinvolvedforslating.That'sthe"allaboutthemoney"problemswehaveinpoliticstoday.Accountability.Toopoliticalifappointed.Non-partisanelectionsgivethecandidateandthepublictheabilitytoassessqualifications.Eitherway,anot-so-qualifiedpersoncouldgetthejob.AccordingtoourrevisedYakamaNationLawandOrderCode-theyareappointedeither2or4yearsdependingontheYakamaTribalCouncil.Ipreferelection.Thesameclownsrunningourstateandlocalgovernmentinthegroundswouldbeappointingourjudges.Theywouldrunourjudicialsysteminthegroundaswell.Untilsomeonecanshowmeasystemexiststhatdoesnotinvolvepolitics(thepoliticsofpopularity,professionalallegianceorpartisanship)Isayletthevotersdecide.Theyaretheonesthatwillhavetolivewiththeresult.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?subjecttoretentionelection(i.e.,theMissouriPlan)AppointedButonlyiftheappointmentismadebyapoliticallyneutralbodywhichincludesjudges,lawyersandthosewhoworkinthejusticesystem.Appointmentinvolvinggovernorsorlegislatorsisnoteffective.Intheabsenceofapoliticallyneutralselectionsystem,electionisrequired.Butonlyinnonpartisanelections.(Partisanelectionsaretheworstformofjudicialselectionsystem.)Ihavebeenappointedforlife,withnoretentionproceedings.HavingnowattendedseveralNJCcoursewithjudgeswhomuststandforelectionoverandoveragainandthereforeareforcedtoconductcampaigns,Icannotunderstandhowanystatecansupportasystemwhichembodiesaconstantthreattotheindependenceofitsjudicialofficers.Iamsogratefulformyappointmentandformystate'sappreciationoftheimportanceofatrulyindependentjudiciary.Sincestatejudgesareinvolvedwiththegeneralpublic,itisrightandappropriatethatweareelected,notappointed.It'salsoagoodcheckandbalanceofjudicialpowerandauthority.Appointedafterarigorousreviewprocessbyanonpartisancouncil,thensubjecttoperiodicretentionelections.aftergoingthroughtheJudicialNominationCommissionprocess.Ibelievetheyshouldbeappointed,butsubjecttoayesornovoteforretentionevery4years.Bygroupscapableofselectingjudicialtraitsandqualities.Whetheritisbyappointmentorbyelectiontheprocessispolitical.Appointedbutstandforretentionbyelection.Appointment,isfrequentlyviewedas"political"butthevettingprocessistypicallybetterthananelectionprocessforafirst-timejudge.However,becausejudgesatthestatelevelarenotappointedforlife,reviewingthejudge'sperformanceinaretentionelectionisprobablyagoodidea.Theappointmentprocessisasignificantprotectionagainstjudgesbeingbeholdentoanypersonorgroupofpeoplewhohaveassistedintheirelectionandtoallowthemtomaketheirdecisionsunrestrainedbythefearofpublicdisagreementwithanoutcome.Thosetermsoughttobelifetime(oragemandated)forthegreatestprotection.Thisisabadsurveyquestion.Eachhasitsmeritsandeachhasitsissues.Also,eachsituation(appellate,trial,smallclaims,traffic,etc)maycallforadifferentselectionmethod.Smallervotingdistrictsseemtodofinewithelections.Largerones-notsomuch.Alsodoesnothingtodifferentiatewhatkindofappointment-executive,commission,legislative,other.(?)Dependsonthelevelofjudge.Itshouldalwaysbenon-partisan.Judgesoflimitedjurisdictioncourtsshouldbeelectedifservingmultipleprecincts(cities).JudgesofCourtofRecordshouldbeappointed.Asystemofappointmentwithelectoral"retention"isthebest.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Anyonecanbeappointed.Idontcareifyourademocrat,republican,independent,peoplehasarighttoelectanyofficialwhotheythinkcandothejob.AppointedandstandforretentionThrougharigorousexaminationandqualificationprocesswithtwosteps:anappointingauthority(canbegovernor,abody,ajudicialcommission)andthenaconfirmationprocess(legislativebody)withaoneyearprobationaryperiodorforatermofyears(10yearsandreappointmentprocess).Appointmentisapoliticalprocess.Thepublicknowsnothingaboutthejudgewhoisappointed.However,runningacampaignisanarduousprocessandcoulddissuadelegitimatecandidates.Therereallyisnogoodsystemforthepathtothebench.Bothoptionshavetheirnegativepitfalls.Mythinkingonthisissuehasevolved,InowbelieveamodifiedMissouriplanisbest--thisallowsvoterssomeinput,whilelimitingtheneedforjudgestocampaignforretention.ItisabsolutelynecessarytomaintainanindependentbranchofgovernmentnotcontrolledbyALEC,theKochbrothersoranyotherextremistswiththemoneytobuyelectionresultsandelectedofficials.Electionofjudgesistheworstwaytopickthem...exceptforeverywayelse...Ideally,alljudgesshouldbeelected.Practicallyonlytrialcourtjudgesshouldbeelected,becausetheyareclosesttothepeopletheyserve,andintermediateappellatejudgesshouldbeelected,becausetheyoperateinaratherinvisiblesphere;and,atbothlevels,sofarmoneyhasnotusurpedthepeople'swill.However,becauseexpendituresbythirdpartieshavetakenthevotesawayfromthecitizensofthestate,statesupremecourtjusticesshouldbeappointedbyanonpartisancommissionbasedonmerit.Itisunderstoodthatbothhavepoliticalties.However,elections,aswehavejustseenhavebuiltinissuesthatshouldbeavoidedatallcosts.

Appointedafterbi-partisan-Non-artisanjudicialnominatingcommitteescreensthoroughly.Transparencyandhavinginputfromthepublicandlegalprofessioninanapplicationprocessismorefairandmitigatesthefavoritismofapoliticalappointment.Atleastthosemakingtheshort-listundertheMissourimodelarequalified.Judicialelectionshavedevolvedintopoliticsandspecialinterestsandthemoneythatcomeswiththem.Thesamenegativesassociatedwithnon-judicialelectionsspillover(uninformed,voterbias,PACs)andjudicialcandidatesarelimitedinhowtheycanrespond.Qualificationsshouldbemorethanhavingapulse&abarlicenseandpayingthefilingfee.Ahighlyqualifiedfelonycourtjudgeinabusyurbancourtwithmanyyearsofexperience--butaHispanicsurname-ranforthehighestappellatecourtinthestate.Hissoleopponentwasawhitemaleattorneywhohadverylittleexperienceevenasalawyer,buthadagenericAnglo-Saxonsurname:Hewonintheconservativeruralareasofthestate.bothAppointed--butwithsafeguardslikeinAlaska,whereanindependentcouncilevaluatescandidatesandsendsatleasttwoofthemostqualifiedcandidatestothegovernor,andwherejudgesstandforretentionbeforevotersatleasteveryfouryears.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?ThemethodusedinavarietyofstateswhichprovidesforreferendumseemslikeareasonablecompromiseforStateCourtJudgesifappointmentisnotaccepted.Thatreducesthepoliticalnatureoftheposition,althoughnottotallyeliminatingthataspect.Appointedbutre-electedunder"MissouriPlan"Theyshouldbeappointedaslongastheappointmentsystemisonethatscreensjudgesbasedonmeritandnotpoliticalaffiliationloyaltytotheappointingauthority.Boththeelectionmethodandtheappointmentmethodofselectingjudgeshavedrawbacks.Appointingjudgesoftenmeansthatpoliticalcontributionstothepartyholdingpower"count"morethanmerit,andthatjudicialseatsmaygotothehighestcontributors.Ontheotherhand,electingjudgesmeansthatcandidatesmustcampaignforoffice,oftenincontestedelections.Judicialcandidatesmaybetemptedtoannouncetheirpositionsonissuesortopics-somethingjudgesareprohibitedfromdoinginmanycasesduetothecanonsofjudicialethics.Overallthough,Ibelieveappointmentisthebettermethodofselectingjudges,providedthattheyarenotlifetimeappointments,andaresubjecttoperiodicrenewal,orchallenge.Electionofjudgesaddstheunwantedspectreofpoliticalpartisanship,impliesjudgesdecidecasesbasedonpoliticalaffiliation,andfeedsthemisconceptioncommonlydescribedas"activistjudges."Theelectionprocessalsoautomaticallycreatesanappearanceofimproprietyduetotheperceptionthatelectedjudgeswillsomehowbebeholdentotheirelectorate.Electionofjudgesutterlydenigratestheindependentandimpartialmandateonwhichjudgesassumethebench.Allappellatejudgesshouldbeappointed.Trialjudgesshouldbeappointedalso.However,ifjudgesmustrunforelection,itshouldbecompletelynonpartisanwithnoassociationwithanypoliticalparty.IfjudgeswereonlyappointedthenImyselfanAfricanAmericanfemalewouldnothavehadtheopportunityinapredominantlywhitemalepoliticalenvironment.Judgeswouldnotbeasindependentwhenhavingtorelyonpoliticalappointment.Thereisnowaytocontrolthepoliticsofsuchasystem.And,judgeswhodonotcareforthepublicbutonlythepositioncansurface.Ibelieveinmeritselection,whichmeansanappointmentshouldbebaseduponthecandidatesqualifications,notpoliticalexpediency.byanon-partisancommitteeIreallyitshouldbebothasitishereinFlorida.Onceajudgeisappointedheorshemustruninthenextgeneralelection(howevernotsoonerthan1year).However,minoritiesfaceagreathurdleinelectionsbecauseofthecosts.It'samixedbag.Ialsofeelthattheappointedjudgesfacelessethicscomplaintsthantheelectedjudges.Whetherelectedorappointed,thetermshouldbe12yearsormoreinordertoassurejudicialindependence

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Ihavebeenonbothsidesoftheappointmentprocess(appointingauthorityandappointee).Thereareargumentsonbothsides,butIcansaythattheappointmentprocessismuchmore"political"thantheelectoralone.So,Ithinkargumentscanbemadeforeach.Simply,Idon'tthinkitmattersmuchwhichsystemisused.Thisargumenthascontinuedfor241yearsandisboundtocontinueintothefuture.Judgesshouldnotbepoliticiansandshouldnotcampaign.Eachpresentsboththeappearanceandtherealpossibilityofethicalproblemsthatshouldbeavoided.Ileantoappointment.TenyearsagoIwouldhavesaidelected.However,Ihavewatchedacolleaguemakeamessandheiselected.Heflatoutsayshewilldowhathepleasesandsaywhathepleasesuntilsomeonestopshim.Hetreatsstaffandpublicterrible.BecauseheiselectedtheCitydoesnothing.ThatiswhyInowleantowardsanappointedjudge.Actually,IliketheIsraelimodel.Lawyersgotoschooltobecomejudges.Theythenstartatthebottomrungoftheladder,andadvanceuptheladderbasedupontheirperformance.Nopoliticsinvolvedatall!!!Leadstopotentialconflictsandtheappearanceofconflictduetothemoneyinjectedintojudicialelectioncampaigns.Theappointiveprocessallowstheconsiderationofprofessionalqualifications.However,theappointmentsshouldbemadebyanelectiveexecutive(Governor,President)toensureinputfromthepeople.Therereallyisnoclearlyethicalwayforjudgestoraisemoneyinacampaign,anabsolutenecessity.Appointmentsaretooeasilycontrolledbythepoliticalwhimsoftheappointingentity.Thisleadstojudgesmorepronetoruleonideologyandnotthelaw.Neitherprocessisperfect,butinmyopiniontheelectoralprocesshasgreaterflaws.IthinkacommentmadeinresponsetoasentencinghypotheticalIposeduringaclassIwasteachingatthecollegeclearlysupportsmyposition.Thatquestionaskedwhatsentencetheparticipantswouldimposeinacasewithconsiderablepoliticalimplications,andthecandidresponsebyoneoftheparticipantswas"howclosetothenextelectionwasthesentencingbeingimposed".Non-partisanelection.Givethepeoplethepowertoelecttheirjudges,butwithoutthepoliticalidentification.Makingjudicialcandidatesidentifywithapoliticalpartyisanathematotheethicalobligationsofjudges.Ifpoliticalpartisanshipplaysnoroleinthejudicialfunction,whydowerequireitofacandidateforjudicialoffice?Localandstatebarsneedtoeducatethepubliconhowtoevaluatecandidates'qualificationsandperformance.Candidatesandjudgeslikewiseneedtoremainmindfulofthethreatvotersposetoourjudicialprocess.OurstateConstitutionrequireselectionwithappointmentasameanstofillavacancy.Votersmustretainjudgesafterthatbyvoteonthegeneralballot.Appointmentscanbejustaspoliticalaselectionsbutdonotallowthepublictovettheircandidates.Judicialcampaignsshouldbekeptasa-politicalandnonpartisanaspossibleandyetallowthepeopletodecide.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Appointedforasignificanttermwiththepossibilityofre-appointment(e.g.U.S.Magistrates).AppointmentbythechiefexecutiveofficerfollowingnominationsfromaBar/Business/Citizenscommitteeandthoroughbackgroundinvestigation/vetting.Bi-partisannominationwithretentionvoteatreasonableintervalsafterappointment.Ifirmlybelievewemustleavethisuptothepeople-Thepeoplewanttoplayaroleanddotheircivicduty.Meritselectionisthebestwaytoensurearespected,qualifiedjudiciaryMostimportantinthesetimesofjudicialbashingthepeopleneedtoelect,notjustaselectedhandfullofpeoplethatmaynothaveanyconceptoftheworkingsofthejusticesystem.Alsomakethejudgespossessionanonpartisanpossession.Theoverwhelmingmajorityofthepublichasnoideaofeitherwhotheirjudgesareorwhattheyhavedoneoverall.Itisawkwardatbestandunseemlyforjudgesseekingre-electiontobeforcedtofund-raiseandperhapspandertothepublic.Aproperlypolitically-balanced(neutral/independent)appointingauthorityprocesscanproperlyvetthebest-qualifiedindividualsforappointmenttothebench.Appointedwithretain/don'tretainontheballotatgeneralelections.InWyoming(Missouriplan)wewereabletodisapprovetwodistrictjudgesandasupremecourtjudgewhomwethoughttemperamentallyunsuitedtotheirpositions.Systemworkedwell.InMontana,wehavethesickeningspectacleofpartisanbig-moneyadstryingtopackourcourtswithjudgeswhowilldecidecasesonideologyovertheruleoflaw.Judgesshouldneverhavetoraisecampaignmoneyorgoaboutspeechifyingtoretaintheirseats.Fairandimpartialjudgesareatadisadvantagewhenopposedbybigmoney'sdirtypoliticsandbumper-stickerslogansthattakefiveminutescarefulexplicationtorefute.ProminentareadsexcoriatingajudgeforcoddlingacriminalwhenshewasupholdingtheConstitutionagainstimproperactsbylawenforcementpersonnel.Bothsystemshavetheirvices,buttheproblemswithappointmentandretentionballotsarenotassevereasthoseofpureelections.Politiciansareevenlesstrustedthanthejudicialsystem.Whyaddtotheskepticism?Letthepeople"Jude".Therearebothidentifiableandlessobviouspressuresonthejudiciary....fundraisingandthecampaignare,intoday'sworld,unjustifiableriskstotheindependenceofthejudiciaryandcreateanindisputableappearanceofimpropriety.Theothertwobranchesofgovernmentprovidemorethanadequate"publicimpute."I'vebeenelectedandappointedandseethebenefitsofboth.However,inasystemwherethereisawell-respectedcommissionthatvetsnomineesandpassesthosenamesontotheGovernorforappointment,youwillendupwithonlythemostwell-qualifiedindividuals.ElectionsarenotaseffectiveforthejudiciarybecausetheelectorateisnotasinformedaboutJudgesandJudgesareprohibitedfromgivingtoomuchinformationabouttheirbeliefs.Judicialracesaremuchmoresusceptibletobeingdecidedbasedonnon-meritoriouscriteriasuchasrace,sex,1stontheballot.TheAppointedJudgesinmyStatehavemuchfewerincidentsofcomplaintsthentheElectedjudges.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Asanappointedjudgeinatribalcourtsetting,allowingthemembershiptoelectjudgeswouldgivethelargermembershipanopportunitytoprovideavoteofconfidenceandalsopreventthetribalcourtjudgesfrombeingbeholdentotheelectedbody.Anappointedjudgesystemwouldworkwellaslongasthecandidatesarewellvettedbythelocalorstatebarassociationandappointedincompliancewiththeirrecommendationsandawayfrompoliticsasmuchaspossible.Althoughpolitical....stillmoreIndependantthanappointmentWitharetentionvotethereafteronaregularbasis.Nosystemisperfect.IamanelectedjudgeandIdreadthestressrelatedtoanupcomingfilingperiodandpotentialelection.Butsincethereisnowaytoavoidthepotentialissuesassociatedwithanappointmentforapoliticalorpersonalmotivationibelieveandhavefaithintheelectorateprocess.Butitdepends!Meritselectionisimportant.Itismuchbetterthanhavingtheabilitytoraisemoneyforacampaignorhavingnamerecognitiontowinanelection.Notenoughofthevotingpublichaveanyidealwhotheywouldvotefor.Ibelievelessthat10percentvotewhenthereareelectionforcountycourtjudges.Electionsdonotallowforjudicialautonomyindecisionmaking.Whenanunpopulardecisionismade,althoughlegallycorrect,thejudicialofficerwhomustworryaboutbeingre-electedmaynotmakethelegallycorrectdecision.Theappointingauthoritymustbelegitimateandnon-partisanandtheremoval/retentionpracticemustberobust.IamelectedandfeelitputsyouinanakwardpositiontoaskpeopleformoneyorsupportandthenseetheminCourt.throughappropriateprocess-nominationcommittee-backgroundsetc.-Severalstateshavesystemsinplacetoshieldtheprocessfrombeingoverlypolitical.Judgeswhoareelectedandwhodependoncampaigncontributionsandvotestobereelectedwillalwayshavetheappearanceofaconflictofinterest.Ivotethiswaywithgreatreservations.Nowthatdarkmoneyisinsinuatingitselfintojudicialelections,Iamrethinkingthis.Butoverall,Ithinkelectionsarecleanerthanappointments.Thereisnowaytotakethepoliticsoutofappointments.Nonpartisanelectionsstillworkbetter.ItrustthepeoplemorethanItrustthepoliticians.Basedonrecocommendationofanon-partisanselectioncommission.Judgesshouldbeappointedafterajudicialappointmentcommitteemakesrecommendationsforpotentialgubernatorialappointment,butallsoselectedandappointedjudgesshouldstandforanon-partisanretentionvoteoneachsuccessiveterm.Ihavenoproblemwithelectingjudgesonalocallevel,butIthinkstatewideappellatejudgesshouldbeappointed.Theelectorateseemsindifferenttotheseraces,andtheycosttonsofmoney,whichplacesjudgesandcandidatesintheuntenablepositionofraisingfunds.Appointmentismoreinherentlypoliticalthanelection....justdifferentgroupof"political".Atleastelectionisaformofsafeguardingtheprocess.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Electedjudgesaresubjecttopoliticalpressures.Asystemofappointmentwithperiodicretentionvotes,asinColorado,assuresanindependentjudiciary.Iowahasasysteminwhichjudgesarenominatedbyacommissionandthegovernorchoosesbetweenthenominees.Ibelievethissystemsupportstheselectionbymeritandhasservedourstatewell.Ilikethecitizenshavingtheopportunitytovote/electtheirrepresentatives.Alayerofdiscretionbyanappointingentity,whichitselfpresumablywascreatedbyelectedofficials,addsacheckonthevolatilityofpuredemocracy.Judicialelectionsareverybadforthejudicialsystemandforsocietyatlarge.Appointingjudgesisamuchbetterwaytogo.Appointed,butwithsecuritythatthelegislativeorexecutivebranchcannotremoveajudgesolelybecauseofthedominantparty'spoliticalphilosophy.Appointedjudgesshouldbesubjecttoafairandimpartialreviewprocessthatisfreefrompoliticalmeddling.bothwasnotanoption,butIthinkboth.Ibelievetheappointmentofjudgesleadstogreaterinvolvementwithpolitics.Inasmallcounty,itiseasytocampaignonappropriatejudicialissueslikecasemanagementandtemperament,andleavepartisanpoliticsoutofconsiderationforpurposesofelection.IfIhadnotrunforoffice19yearsago,Iwouldnotbeajudgetoday.Ihavenostrongconnectiontoapoliticalparty,andIwouldhavebeenoverlookedasawomanof35inapoolwhichincluded5othercandidates,allmale,ages48-50,runninginthetwoprimariesforanopenseat.Thereissimplynowaytocurethebadperceptionraisedbyfundraisingamonglawyerswhoappearbeforejudgesrunningforre-election.MostofthegeneralpublicdonotknowanythingabouttheJudgesbackgroundsorviewstomakeaninformeddecisiononwhotovotefor.IseethistimeandtimeagaininthestateIlivein.Althoughpoliticallyfueled,IstillfeelitwouldbeinthebestinterestofjusticetoappointJudges.Tobeappointed,thejudgesshouldnotbeallowedtomakeanypoliticalcontributionstothosewhoappoint.Elected.Withallitsfaults,publicelectionisstillthebestwaytoinsureaccountability.Publicelectionalsoraisestheleveloftrustpeoplehaveintheirjudges.Judgesshouldn'thavetoenterthepoliticalworld.Theyshouldbeindependentandnothavetogoonacampaigntopersuadevotersastowhatorhowtheywouldruleinparticularsituations.Dependsonthelevelofjudgetoo.Anelectionforjudgeswouldbegeneratedbythebiggestfamilyvote.ThereisaclearneedtokeeppoliticsandpartyinfluenceoutoftheJudiciary.Makeslittledifference:Ifelected,theyaresubjecttothepoliticalpressuresofthevotersandpoliticalparties.Ifappointed,theyaresubjecttothepoliticalpressuresofthepoliticiansandpoliticalparties.Eitherway,judgesjusthavetodothe"rightthing"andhopethey'renotoustedfordoingso.Judgesmustbeallowedtostayabovethepoliticalfrayandbebeholdingtonoone,butladyjustice.

Shouldjudgesbeelectedorappointed?Itistheonlywaytodefeatthecorruptlegislaturesandgovernorsappointingunqualifiedjudges.Elected,atleastatthestatecourtlevel.Perhapsreplacetheregularcontestedelectionswithretentionelectionsaftersomeonehasinitiallybeenelected.Appointedthruanon-partisanprocess,alongwithretentionelectionsandsubstantivejuridicalevaluationsreports.Trialcourtlevel.Appellate&SupremeCourtshouldbeappointed.Iamanelectedjudge.Peoplevotedformebecausetheylikedmysmile,mysigns,orknewsomeonewhorecommendedme.Manyvotedformebecausetheyknewme,too.Ethicallimitationsoncampaigningmakeitdifficultforvoterstovetjudicialcandidates.IwasnominatedtheyearbeforeIwaselected.Thenominationprocessisrigorousandappropriateforvettingjudicialcandidates.Campaignfinancingatalllevelsisoutofcontrolandputsjudgesindifficultyinfundraising.butifnot,thentheMissouriplan