NCJ Number
16404
Date Published
Unknown
Length
9 pages
Annotation
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING THE PURPOSE, PHILOSOPHY, AND SUCCESS OF THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION PLAN USED IN MISSOURI.
Abstract
THE PLAN IS DESCRIBED AS A PLAN FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF A THOROUGHLY QUALIFIED AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY BY TAKING THE SELECTION AND TENURE OF JUDGES OUT OF POLITICS. SELECTION IS BY APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT FROM A LIST OF THREE NOMINEES NAMED BY A COMMISSION COMPOSED OF BOTH LAWYERS AND LAYMEN, WHO DO NOT HOLD ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR ANY OFFICIAL POSITION IN A POLITICAL PARTY. THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENT MUST BE CONFIRMED BY A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION HELD AFTER THE APPOINTED JUDGE HAS SERVED TWELVE MONTHS IN OFFICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)