GOVERNOR'S VIEW OF JUDICIAL SELECTION

• NCJ Number: 17830
• Journal: LOS ANGELES BAR BULLETIN Volume: 49 Issue: 10 Dated: (AUGUST 1974) Pages: 405-408,426-428
• Author(s): E G BROWN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Los Angeles Cty
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FORMER CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR 'PAT' BROWN DESCRIBES THE SYSTEM OF JUDICIAL SELECTION HE USED WHILE IN OFFICE AND SUGGESTS SOME REFORMS DESIGNED TO LIMIT BAD JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS.

Abstract

THE GUIDELINES USED DURING HIS TWO TERMS IN OFFICE WERE THE PERSON'S LEGAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND, THE ATTITUDE OF THE ORGANIZED BAR TOWARD THE PERSON, INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE POLITICAL LIFE OF THE STATE. THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION WAS WHETHER THE PERSON APPEARED TO HAVE THE 'PROPER JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT'. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM INCLUDED SETTING UP A COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS WHICH REVIEW AND EVALUATE ALL NOMINEES, A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL APPELLATE JUDGES HAVE TRIAL COURT EXPERIENCE, AND THE APPOINTMENT OF RELATIVELY YOUNG LAWYERS TO THE BENCH.