Lawyer's Opinions --- Judicial Elections (title, deal, area)

[Hopes]

Okay. Someone said we should pay attention to the judicial elections. I suspect that someone was a lawyer.

I know we have quite a few lawyers who participate here, and I'd like to hear your opinions on the local and supreme court runners.

Afterall, you deal with them on a regular basis.

You're anonymous here. Nobody's going to hold it against you.

Include reasons---even if it's "he's a friend."

Be honest. I know you can do it!

Let your opinions rip!

[fleetiebelle]

How does everyone decide judges, in general? I've been seeing all the ads, and every single one of them is "no-nonsense, tough on crime, keeping our streets and families safe." Well, thank jeebus for that, but how are civilians supposed to tell the difference?

[Hopes]

That's why I started the thread! I figured our lawyers would know best since they deal with these people.

And the ads arent' the same. There's a negative ad campaign against Joan Orie Melvin who is running for supreme court.

I don't usually fall for negative campaigns, but I'd like to know if there is any truth behind the accussations.

In a previous thread earlier this month, someone said we needed to pay attention to the judicial elections---since many judges get re-elected when they shouldn't be.

I'd like to know who that city-data member feels that way about.

It's sad nobody has bothered to post in this thread. I guess nobody cares.

[onepoint]

While I do not wish to comment on any judges in particular, check out the Judicial Excellence Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association's website, titled Judicial Vote 2009, here:

Judicial Vote 2009 - Judicial Excellence Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association

The site provides an abundance of useful information. Note: I am not a member of the ACBA, nor do I have any involvement with the linked site or candidates

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by Hopes

That's why I started the thread! I figured our lawyers would know best since they deal with these people.

And the ads arent' the same. There's a negative ad campaign against Joan Orie Melvin who is running for supreme court.

I don't usually fall for negative campaigns, but I'd like to know if there is any truth behind the accussations.

In a previous thread earlier this month, someone said we needed to pay attention to the judicial elections---since many judges get re-elected when they shouldn't be.

I'd like to know who that city-data member feels that way about.

It's sad nobody has bothered to post in this thread. I guess nobody cares.

I care, but I have no expertise in the area or knowledge of any of the candidates. I'd like to hear some controversial rulings they've done in the past and thing slike that.

[Hopes]

Based on the disclaimer in onepoint's post, I have a feeling that it's illegal for lawyers to support one judicial candidate over another.

At the very least, it's bad business to even give the appearance of it.

I figured since this was an annonymous forum, it would be okay for them to discuss it---if it's not illegal.

However, I guess there is the fear that someone will get a court order for IP addresses to sue for slander and then the anonymity would be lost.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by onepoint

While I do not wish to comment on any judges in particular, check out the Judicial Excellence Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association's website, titled Judicial Vote 2009, here:

Judicial Vote 2009 - Judicial Excellence Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association

The site provides an abundance of useful information. Note: I am not a member of the ACBA, nor do I have any involvement with the linked site or candidates

Thanks. It's helpful to see who isn't considered qualified, but I'd love more information!

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

I care, but I have no expertise in the area or knowledge of any of the candidates. I'd like to hear some controversial rulings they've done in the past and thing slike that.

Me too! I've love to get a feel for if they are liberal or conservative in their interpretation of the constitution, etc.

Maybe the lawyers here wouldn't be timid to discuss an actual case if we can find one to discuss.

[ferraris]

My concern about that link is that it is just one side of things, it is still from a political action committee, why should I trust it?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

My concern about that link is that it is just once side of things, it is still from a political action committee, why should I trust it?

True. I was only commenting on the one candidate that it says doesn't qualify whatsoever...

[ferraris]

No worries, I wasn't responding directly to you. I looked at that site the last time it was posted and if I remember correctly it didn't explain how they came to their conclusions. If someone is totally unqualified it shouldn't take much convincing to explain why.