From mreddick@ajs.org Tue Dec 2 18:29:30 2008 From: mreddick@ajs.org (Malia Reddick) Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:29:30 -0600 Subject: [jnc_network]Missouri Message-ID: <20081202182930.D5E251C8043@smtpauth01.csee.onr.siteprotect.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_003F_01C95479.A0026FA0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Why does the state of Missouri allow trial lawyers to control the judicial nominating process? This is undemocratic. Malia Reddick, Ph.D. Director of Research & Programs American Judicature Society 2700 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311 (515) 271-2287 ------=_NextPart_000_003F_01C95479.A0026FA0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Why does the state of Missouri allow trial lawyers to = control the judicial nominating process? This is = undemocratic.

 

Malia Reddick, Ph.D.

Director of Research & = Programs

American Judicature = Society

2700 = University Ave.

Des = Moines, IA 50311

(515) 271-2287

 

------=_NextPart_000_003F_01C95479.A0026FA0-- From rcaufield@ajs.org Wed Dec 3 21:11:23 2008 From: rcaufield@ajs.org (Rachel Caufield) Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 15:11:23 -0600 Subject: [jnc_network]FAQs Message-ID: <20081203211124.3EB4D1C8046@smtpauth01.csee.onr.siteprotect.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0021_01C95559.6803F570 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Frequently Asked Questions What is the JNC Network? The JNC Network is an unique organization of judicial nominating commissioners and administrative staff who work with judicial nominating commissions. The Network is designed to facilitate communication among and assistance to commissions as they perform the vital task of reviewing judicial applicants. What is a Judicial Nominating Commission? In those states that have adopted a "merit selection" system of choosing all or some of their judges, a judicial nominating commission composed of both lawyers and non-lawyers is established to review applications for a judicial vacancy and recommend the most qualified people for appointment to the bench. The rules that govern nominating commissions vary greatly from state to state, but every commission has the fundamental goal of ensuring that applicants are assessed on their knowledge of the law, their experience, their demeanor, and their ability to be fair and impartial judges. For more information about judicial nominating commissions, click here. (live link to the JSS JNC summary page). What is "merit selection"? Merit selection is a system whereby the state sets up a bipartisan nominating commission, including members of the legal community as well as citizens. When a vacancy occurs on the court, applicants submit their applications to this nominating commission. The commission then reviews the applications, conducts interviews with the applicants, and assesses the qualifications of each. The commission creates a list of names of those they feel are most qualified for the job (this list usually contains 3-8 names depending upon the state). This list is given to the governor, who chooses one of the people on the list and appoints that person to a judgeship. After serving, the judge's name is then regularly placed on the ballot for a "retention election" and citizens get to decide whether or not they will retain their seat on the bench. Can I be a member of the JNC Network if I'm not a nominating commissioner? Generally speaking, the JNC Network is an organization of commissioners and/or staff members who work with nominating commissioners (including staff from the judicial, legislative, or executive branches). If you have questions about whether or not you are eligible to join, please contact Rachel Paine Caufield, Tim Eckley, or Malia Reddick. How much does it cost to become a member of the JNC Network? A 2009 membership to the JNC Network is free to all nominating commissioners and those staff members who work with nominating commissioners. Who runs the JNC Network? The American Judicature Society (AJS) is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the fair and impartial administration of justice. For nearly 100 years, AJS has advocated merit selection of judges as one way to minimize political influences in the justice system. To preserve and improve merit selection, AJS has set up the JNC Network to allow more and better communication among commissioners, to provide information and support for commissioners, and to draw attention to reforms that can help nominating commissions strengthen and improve their rules and procedures as well as their relationships with public officials and private citizens. Rachel Paine Caufield, Ph.D. Research Fellow, Elmo B. Hunter Citizens Center for Judicial Selection The American Judicature Society The Opperman Center at Drake University 2700 University Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50311 515-271-2289 (phone) 515-279-3090 (fax) rcaufield@ajs.org Associate Professor Drake University Department of Politics and International Relations 2508 University Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50311 515-271-1924 (phone) 515-271-1870 (fax) rachel.caufield@drake.edu ------=_NextPart_000_0021_01C95559.6803F570 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Frequently Asked = Questions

 

What is the JNC = Network?

The JNC Network is an unique organization of judicial nominating commissioners and administrative staff who work with judicial nominating commissions.  The Network is designed to facilitate communication = among and assistance to commissions as they perform the vital task of reviewing = judicial applicants. 

 

What is a Judicial = Nominating Commission?

In those states that have adopted a “merit = selection” system of choosing all or some of their judges, a judicial nominating commission composed of both lawyers and non-lawyers is established to = review applications for a judicial vacancy and recommend the most qualified = people for appointment to the bench.  The rules that govern nominating = commissions vary greatly from state to state, but every commission has the fundamental = goal of ensuring that applicants are assessed on their knowledge of the law, = their experience, their demeanor, and their ability to be fair and impartial = judges.  For more information about judicial nominating commissions, click here. = (live link to the JSS JNC summary = page). 

 

What is “merit = selection”? 

Merit selection is a system whereby the state sets up a = bipartisan nominating commission, including members of the legal community as well = as citizens. When a vacancy occurs on the court, applicants submit their applications to this nominating commission. The commission then reviews = the applications, conducts interviews with the applicants, and assesses the qualifications of each. The commission creates a list of names of those = they feel are most qualified for the job (this list usually contains 3-8 = names depending upon the state). This list is given to the governor, who = chooses one of the people on the list and appoints that person to a judgeship. After = serving, the judge’s name is then regularly placed on the ballot for a “retention election” and citizens get to decide whether or = not they will retain their seat on the bench.

 

Can I be a member of the JNC = Network if I’m not a nominating = commissioner?

Generally speaking, the JNC Network is an organization of = commissioners and/or staff members who work with nominating commissioners (including = staff from the judicial, legislative, or executive branches).  If you = have questions about whether or not you are eligible to join, please contact Rachel = Paine Caufield, Tim Eckley, or Malia Reddick.

 

How much does it cost to = become a member of the JNC Network?

A 2009 membership to the JNC Network is free to all nominating commissioners and those staff members who work with nominating = commissioners. 

 

Who runs the JNC = Network?

The American Judicature Society (AJS) is a national, = nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the fair = and impartial administration of justice.  For nearly 100 years, AJS has = advocated merit selection of judges as one way to minimize political influences in = the justice system.  To preserve and improve merit selection, AJS has = set up the JNC Network to allow more and better communication among commissioners, = to provide information and support for commissioners, and to draw attention to = reforms that can help nominating commissions strengthen and improve their rules = and procedures as well as their relationships with public officials and private = citizens. 

 

 

Rachel Paine Caufield, = Ph.D.

Research Fellow, Elmo B. Hunter Citizens Center for = Judicial Selection

The American Judicature = Society

The Opperman Center at Drake University

2700 University Avenue

Des = Moines, Iowa 50311

515-271-2289 (phone)

515-279-3090 (fax)

rcaufield@ajs.org=

 

Associate Professor

Drake University Department of Politics and = International Relations

2508 University Avenue

Des = Moines, Iowa  50311

515-271-1924 (phone)

515-271-1870 (fax)

rachel.caufield@drake.edu

 

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