Friday, December 09, 2005
CHIEF JUSTICE TOAL DISCUSSES JUDICIAL SYSTEM
According to an article, published in The State, South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal believes the system for selecting judges in South Carolina, which requires a majority vote by a joint session of the Legislature, "gives judges more independence" than in states where judges run for election. This is because the South Carolina system eliminates campaign money and screens candidates.
Our question is this: "Does the South Carolina system really eliminate campaign money or just shift it to the politicians who are making the appointments?" If judges ran for office, at least they would have to report the sources of campaign funds. Under the present scheme, the real purpose of campaign contributions can be hidden.
According to an article, published in The State, South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal believes the system for selecting judges in South Carolina, which requires a majority vote by a joint session of the Legislature, "gives judges more independence" than in states where judges run for election. This is because the South Carolina system eliminates campaign money and screens candidates.
Our question is this: "Does the South Carolina system really eliminate campaign money or just shift it to the politicians who are making the appointments?" If judges ran for office, at least they would have to report the sources of campaign funds. Under the present scheme, the real purpose of campaign contributions can be hidden.
