NCJ Number
48069
Journal
Trial Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1976) Pages: 25,31,34-35
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
BARRIERS TO EQUALITY FOR WOMEN PRESENTED BY LAWS AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE NEED FOR MORE WOMEN JUDGES AND LAWYERS IS STRESSED.
Abstract
JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT HAVE DEALT WITH WOMEN AS SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS ARE CITED (E.G., PROTECTIVE LABOR LAWS, LAWS GRANTING WOMEN AUTOMATIC EXCUSES FROM JURY DUTY, AN 1873 SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING THE DENIAL OF A WOMAN'S APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE TO PRACTICE LAW). INDICATIONS THAT JUDICIAL ATTITUDES ARE CHANGING ARE POINTED OUT, AS IS THE PROMISE OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT FOR ESTABLISHING EQUALITY ON A SOLID BASIS AND PUTTING AN END TO DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AND JUDICIAL INTERPRETATIONS THAT PERPETUATE WOMEN'S SUBORDINATE ROLE. THE NEED FOR MORE FEMALE LAWYERS AND JUDGES IS NOTED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE BEST SYSTEM OF JUDICIAL SELECTION IS ONE THAT IS USED IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES: A NONPOLITICAL PROFESSIONAL JUDICIARY CHOSEN ON THE BASIS OF COMPETITIVE QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS AND PROMOTED ON THE BASIS OF EXPERIENCE AND PROVEN ABILITY. SUCH A METHOD IS SAID TO OFFER EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ON THE BENCH TO ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY. THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WOMEN ATTENDING LAW SCHOOL AND THE ADVENT OF FEMINIST LAW FIRMS ARE NOTED.