Friday, 11 July 2008
The Problem With Judicial Races
« Politics of Gas: A Follow Up | Main | Lunsford Makes Me Laugh »I have long thought that judges should be selected and not elected. It is nearly impossible for the electorate to determine which judicial candidates are the best or at least qualified for the office they are running. Instead we are left with what is a popularity contest which generally goes to the better funded candidates.
We see another example of this year in Louisville's district judge race. Metro councilman Jim King is trying to buy his daughter the title judge. Katie King at the age of 29 is not qualified to be a judge. She barely meets the minimum requirements and has spent a measly three years as an assistant attorney in Irv Maze's office. It wouldn't surprise me if she got the initial job because of King's influence.
Regardless, it looks like Ms. King has been caught up in a bit of lovers spat that included a 911 call.
An assistant county attorney who is running for district judge in Jefferson County was the subject of a March "911" call from a former boyfriend who said she was trying to break into his house.
The recording shows that the ex-boyfriend of Katie King called MetroSafe Communications on March 14 and said King was "yelling through the door" and "acting like an idiot."
Louisville Metro Police responded to the home of John Otter in the 300 block of Sprite Road, but King had left before they arrived, according to dispatch calls.
The story would be inconsequential if these events happened 20 years ago. Instead they happened this year. While I am sure the 911 call was not serious, it demonstrates the immaturity that happens between 20 somethings. I understand these types of events are learning events for young people. I just don't want someone this green and inexperienced with life sitting as a judge.
All of which returns to my original argument. Judges should be appointed by elected officials. We can hold the officials accountable for the quality of their selections. That would at least eliminate the crap shoot element of judicial elections. While we might not get the best of judges in the world, we would probably avoid the dregs who sometimes get elected.
Consider Louisville’s love affair with judges who have love affairs with judges married to other judges. Katie’s dalliances and drug dependency will not cost her this election. Either we get serious or we prepare to enshroud her fleur-de-lies tramp stamp in a black robe. She spent $111,072.35 in the primary alone; the record books on campaign expenditures are being rewritten as we speak. It’s tough to table talk of sex tapes and pictures, alcohol/drug abuse, trespassing/overdosing, 911 calls, law school cheating, work-related reprimands, and campaign improprieties. But let’s revisit the “right and relevant experience” touted by Ms. King.
If Katie gave us a penny for every district court case she has handled regarding domestic violence, sex crimes, DUI, criminal non-support, juvenile crime, small claims, probate, disability, and district civil… we would all be penniless. But with a little help from Daddy, the princess would love to buy your vote.
Sincerely,
Dwayne C. LeFony