Not Taken On Faith: Florida Judicial Screening Process

[lazarus]

(Mods, had to subtitle, as that subject title is really not very descriptive).

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1073667920028

Will you be able to balance your duties as a single mother of twins with your duties as a Broward judge?"

That was the question Broward County Assistant Public Defender Jayme Cassidy says she was asked by a member of the 15th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission during her two judicial screening interviews in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Snip

But several applicants interviewed by the Daily Business Review complained that JNC members have asked them:

• Whether they are active in their church.

• Whether the candidate is a "God-fearing person."

• How they feel about the U.S. Supreme Court's 2003 ruling striking down a Texas law criminalizing homosexual activity.

• How they would feel about having the Ten Commandments posted in their courtroom.

Apparently these folks are unfamiliar with the Constitution of the United States.

[haele]

1. So, what happened to the part in the Constitution that says -

There shall be no religious test to hold public office, hmmm?

Broward County, eh? figures.

Haele

[Khephra]

2. kick

[Khephra]

3. kick

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Scary Scary Scary

But now that he's on the JNC, he isn't shy about pressing his views on judicial candidates. "This country is founded on the principles of Christianity, not the principles of Buddhism, not the principles of Judaism," the South Florida Sun-Sentinel quoted him as saying Nov. 30, 2003. "I don't believe the developers of the Constitution would want us to compromise our Christian values."

Then this little gem:
Dozier does not deny asking Broward General Master Marina Garcia Wood how she felt about the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Texas prohibition against homosexual activity. "I am totally against that ruling," Dozier said. "We cannot have a judge who feels sodomy is OK."

Dozier, however, said he is not opposed to gays or lesbians serving on the bench -- "as long as can assure me would not promote sodomy."

Sure, Bush won't ask inappropriate questions. Because the committee already weeded out the people not in lock-step with the agenda.

[Judi Lynn]

5. So Jeb is following the same pattern his brother established

Coming forward to personalize, and bend the Judiciary to his own interests.

Concerning the Judicial Nomination Commission:

(snip) In an interview, the Rev. Dozier, a non-practicing attorney, acknowledged asking some of the questions. But he defended their appropriateness. "I want to know the applicants' spiritual makeup," Dozier said. "It tells me a lot about a person. I think a judge should be God-fearing."

The 26 state nominating commissions -- one for each judicial circuit, one for each district court, and one for the Supreme Court -- are charged with screening and interviewing applicants for state judgeships and sending finalists' names to the governor.

(snip) The governor formerly shared responsibility with the Bar for appointing JNC members. But Bush and Republican legislative leaders complained that the state judiciary was blocking their legislative agenda.

In 2001, in a move widely seen as greatly increasing the governor's power to shape the judiciary, the GOP-dominated Legislature gave the governor the right to appoint all nine members of each JNC; the Bar's role was reduced to merely recommending four candidates to the governor.

Bush repeatedly has said that he wants a judiciary that reflects his philosophy of government, and has appointed many conservatives to the JNCs. "I'm looking for people who share my philosophy: respect the separation of powers and recognize the judiciary has an important role," Bush said at a JNC training seminar in Orlando, Fla., last September. "They don't need to be legislating."

[watercolors]

7. Jeb is scary

He is worse than his brother. His attitude is as arrogant also. Glad when we will be rid of him in Fl.

[lazarus]

6. I hate to kick my own post

But people, this is a freaking theocracy they're starting down their in Florida.

[drscm]

8. And the repugs complain when Senators ask Federal Court applicants

to answer reasonable questions when they are recommended by *Bush?

[Solly Mack]

9. Well, that's scary...not surprising...but scary

This is theocracy. America, I never knew ya...

[Judi Lynn]

10. Getting scarier by the day, too. n/t

[Lars39]

11. I think some of these judicial candidates

are going to have to just lie to be appointed, so they can be a spoke in the wheel of fascism. Never thought I'd say something like that, either.