Abstract
Popular election of judges has been the subject of much criticism and extensive debate. In recent years there has been a strong movement away from popular election and toward some form of merit selection. A distinguished member of the bench observed:
A politician may make a good judge if he can stop being a politician after going on the bench; but it is a great handicap to good judicial work to have a system which tends to compel every judge to be a politician in order to remain a judge.
This comment will examine the history of judicial selection in the United States, discuss the trends toward reform, and conclude with recommendations for changes in the Arizona judicial selection procedure. To achieve a truly modem and efficient court system in Arizona other matters affecting the judiciary such as removal procedures, mandatory retirement ages, and increased compensation need to be considered. This comment will, however, be limited to a discussion of selection procedures.
How to Cite
9 Ariz. L. Rev. 297 (Fall 1967)
74
Views
117
Downloads