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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ind. Courts - "Judge Fundraiser Offers 'Favorable Ruling' For Donations"

The ILB is late reporting this. First there was the story last Friday - here is coverage from 6News' Derrik Thomas:

Some are raising questions about a fundraising flier for a Marion County judge that seems to offer favorable rulings in exchange for campaign contributions.

The invitation sent out in support of Judge Becky Pierson-Treacy promoted a fundraising gathering set for next month at the law office of Linda Pence.

Under the heading of suggested contributions, it lists $150 as sustained, $250 as affirmed, $500 as so ordered and $1,000 as a "favorable ruling." * * *

6News was told Friday evening that the fundraiser had been canceled. Pence, who was set to host the event, did not return calls for comment Friday.

Last evening (Monday), another story from 6News. Here Thomas quotes from Indiana Justice Ted Boehm, who is on the record* for appointing Marion County judges "by a select commission in a merit system, eliminating the need to campaign."
"Just think how you'd feel if you are going into a court and the judge has the power to decide who gets custody of your children, and the lawyer from the other side has made a $1,000 contribution to the judge and your lawyer hasn't," Boehm told 6News' Derrik Thomas.

To get on the ballot, judges pay a suggested slating fee of about $12,000. Raising that money was the worst part of the job, said former Judge Gary Miller.

"It's very uncomfortable for judges. We go from being this very independent judicial officer, to being a very partisan, political creature," he said.

But Marion County Republican Party Chairman Kyle Walker disagrees with Boehm's push to revamp the process of naming judge, saying the system is fine just the way it is.

"What we have in Marion County is the best merit system. It's an endorsement process that has worked," he said. "Anytime you can put the opinions of hundreds of people over those 10 people (who slate candidates) that are handpicked by the governor and other folks, you're probably going to be better off."

Any changes would require legislative approval.

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*See this Dec. 1, 2010 ILB entry, where Boelm calls the current system in Marion County: "a scheme that purports to place the selection in the hands of the voters, but in practical effect leaves it under the control of a few party officials"

Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 23, 2011 01:19 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts