NCJ Number
117760
Journal
Judicature Volume: 72 Issue: 6 Dated: (April-May 1989) Pages: 318-330
Date Published
1989
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Interviews, reviews of questionnaires submitted by Federal judicial nominees to the United States Judiciary Committee, and transcripts of confirmation hearings and other documents formed the basis of an analysis of the changes of the judicial selection during the Reagan presidency from 1981-89 and the success of the administration's efforts to recruit those with judicial philosophies similar to that of the president.
Abstract
The analysis focuses particularly on the appointments during the last 2 years and a comparison of these judges' professional, demographic, and attribute profiles with those from the first half of the second term and from the first term. Results showed that the Reagan administration made the screening process systematic, particularly with respect to judicial philosophy. However, the selection process did not involve a close working relationship with the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary. Almost half or the judiciary in active service at the start of 1989 consists of Reagan appointees. Thus, the potential exists for a fundamental change in civil liberties law and continued incremental change in the direction favored by the Reagan administration. The Bush appointees will tend to reinforce that impact. For judicial conservatives, this means a healthy return to government by the elected representatives of the people. Footnotes and photographs.