Sexist Selection Process Keeps Qualified Women off the Bench (From Criminal Justice System and Women, P 379-383, 1982, Barbara Raffel Price and Natalie J Sokoloff, eds. -- See NCJ-115340)

• NCJ Number: 115358
• Author(s): S Ness
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Clark Boardman Company, Ltd
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. From the Washington Post, March 26, 1978

Annotation

Boasting only 1.1 percent women and 4 percent blacks, the Federal Judiciary remains one of the last male bastions.

Abstract

No woman has ever served on the U.S. Supreme Court, only 51 women have served on the Federal bench in its almost 200 year history, and only 45 of the 525 Federal judgeships are currently held by women. The current judicial selection process works against the appointment of women to the Federal bench because the system's deeply rooted and institutionalized sexism. Certain selection criteria, such as a requirement that appointees have practiced law for a minimum of 15 years, effectively bar women from appointment. In addition, there is a double standard in the application of selection criteria that appears to require prior judicial experience for female and minority appointees but not for white male appointees. Finally, there is an overwhelming predominance of men and the operation of the old-boy network in the nomination, screening, and selection process. It is a disgrace for a Nation that prides itself on equality to have critical legal issues decided predominantly by men. Basic fairness demands that more women be appointed to the Federal bench.