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Judicial Appointments, Judicial Elections
and
Voter Outreach & Education
The experience Minnesota citizens have in Minnesota courts directly affects
their confidence in our judicial system. Minnesota Women Lawyers
recognizes
the vital importance of
having a qualified judiciary on the bench. Our Judicial Appointments Committee
and Judicial Elections Committee screen individuals for judicial positions throughout the state
to determine whether the candidate is qualified for the position. Judicial candidates are
screened for judicial openings throughout the year, as well as in
contested elections every two years.
Additionally, the MWL Voter Outreach and Education Committee
educates the public about the qualities MWL believes voters should
consider when they cast their vote for a judicial candidate. Voters should
consider such qualities as legal education, experience, reputation for
excellence and fairness and temperament in evaluating judicial candidates.
These are the factors MWL emphasizes in making its screening decisions.
The Committee also educates the public about the importance of judicial independence. The Voter
Outreach Fund was established as a separate entity (as per MN state
campaign finance laws) to inform the public about the judicial candidates MWL
has “found qualified” in contested judicial elections.
In contested judicial elections, MWL does not believe that voters should
base their votes for judicial candidates on "hot button" issues. Unlike other
types of elected officials, judges should not base their decisions on their personal views. Instead, judges
must apply the law, whether or not they agree with it and whether or not their
decision will be popular. Judges must also avoid developing any allegiance
or owing any debt to those persons who come before them.
Minnesota Women Lawyer's
candidate screening efforts is divided into two
committees, Judicial Elections and Judicial Appointments. Click on the links
below to learn more about the process:
Judicial Elections
Note: To comply with Minnesota state
campaign finance law, MWL
has created a political fund for its election-related work. Funds are raised separately from Minnesota Women Lawyer's general fund.
All expenses of the MWL Judicial Elections Committee and MWL's Voter
Outreach & Education Committee that are specifically related to the
promotion of judicial candidates are paid for by the political fund. The following material was not approved by any candidate for public office,
and no candidate is responsible for it.
MWL's Judicial Elections Committee and Screening Process:
 | The
Minnesota Women Lawyers Judicial
Elections
Committee invited all candidates in 2006 contested judicial elections to request
a screening interview with Minnesota Women Lawyers. Screenings were
scheduled by the Committee in the weeks following the State of Minnesota
judicial candidate filing deadline. Further information were provided to
candidates once they requested a screening.
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| In
evaluating judicial candidates, MWL took into account a broad range of factors, including the candidates' legal experience, the
candidates' reputation for excellence, and their community activities. MWL
also considered the candidates' past experience relating to MWL's mission:
to secure the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and
in a just society. Click HERE
for a complete description of MWL's Judicial Elections Committee screening
criteria.
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| MWL may
have "found qualified" more than one candidate for a given seat if more than one candidate
met its criteria.
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| If an
individual was not listed as a candidate that MWL has "found qualified," it means
that either the candidate did not seek a screening with the MWL Judicial
Elections Committee; or that he/she sought an interview but was not
"found qualified."
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| Screening materials (resume and/or application) and interviews are kept confidential within the
MWL Judicial Elections Committee unless a candidate is "found qualified."
In the case of candidates who are "found qualified," MWL may have used screening
materials and interview
information in publicity used to promote
candidates to both MWL members and the general public.
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| All
decisions of the Judicial Elections Committee are final.
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| Screening decisions are based upon MWL's published criteria, information available at the time of
the screening, and the best judgment of the MWL Judicial Elections Committee.
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Judicial Appointments
As part of its selection process, the Minnesota Commission on Judicial
Selection is authorized by law to solicit in writing, recommendations for
candidates from attorney associations in the judicial district and from
organizations that represent minorities and women attorneys in the judicial
district. MWL's judicial candidate screening process represents a
nonpartisan, independent review of a candidates qualifications.
MWL's Judicial Appointments Committee and Screening Process:
| Throughout the year, the Minnesota Women Lawyers Judicial Appointments
Committee screens candidates for open judicial positions once the positions are announced
by the Governor.
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| The
MWL Judicial Appointments Committee invites all candidates
applying for an open judicial position to request a screening interview. At least 7 days before a judicial opening application is due
to the Commission, interested candidates must contact the MWL
office at 612/338-3205 or
dpexa@mwlawyers.org to schedule a screening interview with the Judicial
Appointments Committee.
If you haven't heard from the MWL office within 48 hours of your initial
contact, please contact the office again. MWL makes every effort to
accommodate requests for screening. However, screening interviews are not
guaranteed.
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| Screening interviews are typically held on weekday evenings at the MWL office
(600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 390B in Minneapolis; 3rd floor of City Center, inside
the HCBA office area). Although in-person interviews are preferred,
teleconference interviews can be arranged, particularly for those outside the
metro area.
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| Seven
hardcopy or electronic copies of your
resume and/or judicial application must be forwarded to the MWL office AT
LEAST 2 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR to
your screening appointment. Faxes will not be accepted.
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| In
evaluating judicial candidates, MWL takes into account a broad range of factors
that MWL deems important, including the candidates' legal experience, the
candidates' reputation for excellence, and their community activities. MWL
also considers the candidates' past experience relating to MWL's mission:
to secure the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and
in a just society. Click HERE
for a complete description of MWL's Judicial Appointments Committee screening
criteria.
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| If
a candidate is "found qualified," a MWL Judicial Appointments Committee member
will write a letter on behalf of MWL and submit it to the Minnesota
Commission on Judicial Selection prior to the application deadline.
Details as to why the candidate was "found qualified" will be outlined in the
letter. A copy of the letter will also be provided to the candidate.
If a candidate is not "found qualified," the candidate will be notified and no
further action will be taken.
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| MWL may
"find qualified" more than one candidate for a given opening if more than one candidate
meets the criteria.
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| Screening materials (resume and/or application) and interviews are kept confidential within the
Judicial Appointments Committee unless a candidate is "found qualified."
In the case of candidates who are "found qualfied," MWL may use screening
materials and interview
information in the letter submitted to the Minnesota Commission on Judicial
Selection. Furthermore, MWL's separately funded Voter Outreach Fund may publicize
information about candidates who have been "found
qualified" in the effort to support
candidates and to inform MWL members.
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| All
decisions of the Judicial Appointments Committee are final.
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| Screening decisions are based upon MWL's published criteria, information
available at the time of the screening, and the best judgment of the MWL
Judicial Appointments Committee.
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Full Court Press
On a periodic basis, the MWL Judicial Appointments Committee publishes the
MWL “Full Court Press,” an e-mail
newsletter with current information on judicial openings and useful tips for
those MWL members who are interested in pursuing an appointment to the
bench, or are simply interested in the judicial election process. Contact MWL
at dpexa@mwlawyers.org to be added to the e-mail list.
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"Judges and Politics Don’t Mix"
Ground rules for Minnesota’s judicial elections are changing as a
result of two court decisions in the White case (one issued by the U.S. Supreme
Court in 2002 and one issued by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in August,
2005). As a result of these decisions, judicial candidates may take positions
on political issues in running for judge and may seek and use political
endorsements. We oppose politicizing our judicial races and believe judges
should be selected on a nonpolitical basis, based on the depth and quality of
their legal experience, temperament and good character, and willingness to
follow the law.
Our watchword is that “Judges and Politics Don’t Mix.” For
more information on this, go to
www.judgesandpoliticsdontmix.org (or just
www.dontmix.org.)
View the 11/14/06 Star Tribune editorial: "Voters
agree: Politics and judges don't mix."
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MWL
Board of Directors Approves Changes
to Judicial "Endorsement" Language
In light of the recent White
cases and their impact on judicial elections, MWL 05-06 President Dani Deering
appointed a Task Force this past spring to (1) consider how the White
decisions may affect the way judges and the public view MWL’s endorsement of
candidates for election to judicial office and (2) identify potential strategies
to address any resulting concerns. In addition to several other changes, the
MWL Board of Directors adopted the Task Force recommendation that the
association discontinue use of the term “endorsement.” While no other term is
ideal from all perspectives, it was concluded that the following would best
capture the meaning of MWL’s process:
MWL supports an
independent, nonpartisan judiciary. MWL finds qualified the following
candidates . . .
Click
HERE to view the complete article that outlines all the recommendations
adopted by the MWL Board of Directors.
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Applying for an Open Judicial Position
Qualifications for Judicial Appointments in Minnesota State Courts
You may complete an application for an appointed judgeship if you are:
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An eligible voter at least 21
years old licensed to practice law in Minnesota; |
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A resident of the district both
at the time of appointment and during length of judicial term; |
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In possession of the following
personal characteristics: integrity, maturity, job-related health, judicial
temperament, diligence, legal knowledge, ability, and experience; and |
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Active in in community service.
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Consideration is given to women
and minority applicants |
Judicial Term
If you are appointed, you must stand for district-wide election in the next general
election that is more than one year after your swearing-in date.
Commission on Judicial Selection
PURPOSE: The Commission on Judicial Selection was created in 1990 to
solicit candidates, evaluate and make recommendations to the governor for
filling district court and workers' compensation court of appeals vacancies.
It has also been used, at the Governor's discretion, for other judicial
openings.
MEMBERSHIP: The Commission is comprised of 49 attorney and non-attorney
members: 27 are appointed by the Governor and 22 are appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Of the 49 members, 9 are "at-large" members. The remaining positions are
occupied by appointed representatives from the specific district in which there
is a vacancy. A list of commission members is available from the Governor's
office.
Application Details
The application is not unusual or complicated, but it takes time to gather some
information requested as well as the reference letters. MWL recommends that
interested persons start preparing well in advance and get the application form
immediately after the vacancy is announced due to the short times between the
vacancy notification and the application deadline.
To Find Out About Vacancies
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Contact John Hultquist, Judicial
Appointments Coordinator, at (651) 296-0019 and ask to be added to the
mailing list for announcements of judgeship vacancies. |
| MWL members can be added to the recipient list for MWL Judicial
Appointments Committee e-mail publication, Full Court Press, which contains
up-to-date information on judicial vacancies across Minnesota.
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To Obtain an Application for an Appointment
Write to Chair of the Commission on Judicial Selection, 130
State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155, or call John Hultquist, Judicial Appointments
Coordinator, (651) 296-0019.
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Minnesota Judicial District Map:
For more information, visit:
http://www.courts.state.mn.us/default.aspx?page=238
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