NCJ Number
101143
Date Published
1985
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Three charts detail the characteristics of judicial merit selection systems in 34 States and the District of Columbia.
Abstract
A merit selection plan has three basic elements: (1) a commission made up of both lay and lawyer members to recruit, screen, and evaluate candidates, (2) nomination to the appointing authority of a limited number of candidates, and (3) appointment by the governor or other appointing authority. Currently, 343 commissions exist. No two commissions operate in exactly the same way. A table giving an overview lists the year established, court level, legal basis, type of vacancy involved, number of commissions, and numbers and types of commissioners. A second table describes the appointment process and membership of the commission. The third table outlines the commissions' procedures. It shows the number of days a commission is given to submit a list of names to the appointing authority, the number of names to be submitted, whether the appointing authority is bound by the commission's recommendations, and whether appointees must be confirmed by the legislature. 21 footnotes.