NEW CASTLE —
Over the years, I’ve changed my mind a few times over how judges are selected to Pennsylvania’s appellate courts.
I’ve favored merit selection of judges for the three appellate courts: Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme. And I’ve favored having the judges elected by the voters as they are now.
Under the current system, the wide majority of voters have no deep knowledge of the candidates. While the state bar association makes recommendations on candidates, voters generally have sketchy information.
And so it becomes somewhat of a crapshoot when voters cast their ballots. As a result, some of those who are elected may not be among the best and the brightest.
Which is why some people favor merit selection. That way, only those with “impeccable” credentials would be selected to serve on the state’s highest courts.
This week, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams of Philadelphia announced he is co-sponsoring a bill amending the state constitution to have merit selection for the high courts.
Williams gave his reasoning for co-sponsoring the bill, noting the start of a corruption trial for suspended state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin and her sister, Janine, this week.
The two are charged with illegally using Melvin’s former Superior Court staff to run her political campaigns.
“We cannot have a society of laws if those sworn to uphold them are seen as willing to disregard them,” Williams said. “Lawmakers are drawn from the people, but our courts are supposed to be our gold standard.”
Under the bill, a nominating commission would provide a list of five candidates to the governor who would make the appointment.
The commission would be made up of seven public members and eight members appointed by elected officials: Four by the governor and four by the Legislature. The commission would include attorneys and non-attorneys, but no members could be political or appointed officeholders or staffers to either.
Sounds great, but it doesn’t ensure that even the most qualified person wouldn’t be susceptible to corruption in the future.
Strides should always be made to have the most qualified people on the courts. But after that, we can only hope that they are also people of the highest integrity.
John K. Manna
Related Photos
-
About John Manna: John covers politics for The News. His "Focus" column appears each Saturday.
Discussion
John K. Manna: A new way to judge the judges
- John K. Manna
-
-
John K. Manna: New ways needed to cover transportation improvements
Nobody can dispute the fact that bridges throughout the United States and Pennsylvania are on the verge of falling apart. Plus, roads continually need to be repaired or replaced.
-
John K. Manna: A look back a big wins, tiny turnout in primary
Years from now few people, if any, will remember Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County. The few probably will not remember that only 9,291 registered voters turned out at the polls. It wasn’t the lowest turnout over the last 25 years or so.
-
John K. Manna: Data shows decline in number of primary voters
Voter participation isn’t what it used to be. That’s nothing new, but there has been a significant drop in voting here in Lawrence County. And it’s happened suddenly, particularly in the so-called “off-year” elections.
-
John K. Manna: New legislative districts give advantage to local lawmakers
We finally have a map, and area state legislators have to be gushing with joy. The map, which reshapes state House and Senate districts in Pennsylvania, gained the approval of the state Supreme Court this week.
-
John K. Manna: Shortfall in state tax collections means painful decisions lie ahead
I don’t deny that there are really smart people in Harrisburg who deal with the state’s budget and taxes. But I have to wonder what any of them — including the governor — think when it comes to taxes.
-
John K. Manna: Term limits again considered
Some things just never go away. One of them is the idea to impose term limits on members of Congress. Once a big deal in the 1990s, discussion about imposing term limits has died down to a whisper in recent years. But the idea is apparently not dead.
-
John K. Manna: Western Pennsylvania’s population drop persists
Lawrence County is losing people, but it’s not alone. The counties surrounding Lawrence, with the exception of Butler County, also have been experiencing population declines.
-
John K. Manna: Why should local elections be based on party status?
If you want to win a seat on New Castle City Council, don’t run as a Republican. Nothing is impossible, but over the last 40 plus years, only a handful of Republicans have been elected to council. It’s not because Republican candidates have been of lesser quality than their Democratic counterparts.
-
John K. Manna: Spring ballot to have few surprises
The ballots are set for the May 21 primary in Lawrence County. There could be some minimum change after Wednesday, the last day for candidates to withdraw. But for all practical purposes, we know who the candidates are, and there are few surprises.
-
John K. Manna: Few elected officials show desire for higher office
Over the years, most local politicians have stayed local. I’m not referring to the late Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill who often said that all politics is local.
- More John K. Manna Headlines
-
