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Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Ind. Courts - Current 2nd District attorney on JNC writes letter to Indy Star
Outgoing 2nd District attorney member of the Judicial Nominating Commission, John C. Trimble of Lewis Wagner LLP, Indianapolis, had this letter to the editor published in the Star's Oct. 5, 2010 issue. He responded to a prior letter published in the Star that:
... suggested that Indiana's procedure for selecting Indiana Supreme Court justices lacks public input and independence. Respectfully, those statements are untrue, and the Missouri Plan method for selecting appellate judges serves the citizens of Indiana very well.The recent selection process that resulted in the appointment of Judge Steven D. David to the Indiana Supreme Court exceeded all prior precedent for direct public access and input. For the first time, candidate applications were posted online, which allowed the press and the public to review every detail of applicant information. In addition, the public had access to the candidates' writing samples, letters of recommendation and academic transcripts.
Journalists from across the state attended the interviews. Photography was allowed, with some photos viewed as many as 700 times. Bloggers were permitted to observe and report on the questions posed by the commissioners and the answers of the candidates, and citizen observers were also present.
As a commissioner, I can attest that our members received input on the candidates from legislators, other elected officials, appellate judges, trial judges, academia, business interests, citizens and friends and foes of the candidates.
Indiana is one of a solid majority of states that select appellate judges through some form of appointment.
By adhering to an appointment process, Indiana avoids the ugly spectacle of the runaway spending that occurs in states that hold contested elections for appellate judges.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 12, 2010 09:57 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts