NCJ Number
84022
Journal
Judicature Volume: 66 Issue: 1 Dated: (June-July 1982) Pages: 39-44
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A recent Florida survey suggests that attitudes about judicial selection methods among police chiefs and sheriffs may vary depending on whether they themselves were elected or appointed.
Abstract
Florida law enforcement officials were asked to select which type of system was best for selecting trial and appellate court judges. The five types of systems considered included partisan elections, nonpartisan elections, merit selection at one or more levels, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative elections. The questionnaire included a series of items on the strengths and weaknesses of the merit system. While no single system received support from a majority of respondents, election processes did receive the largest share of support. Sheriffs, who are elected officials, were more supportive of judicial selection through direct elections than police chiefs, who are appointed. By viewing judicial selection and politics as an amalgam of legal and democratic elements, one can make a case for looking more closely at the views of broader groups of participants when considering judicial reforms. Six footnotes and four tables are provided.