Malcolm M. Lucas

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Malcolm M. Lucas was the 26th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. He was appointed to the position after his predecessor, Rose Bird was removed by the electorate in 1986 because of her constant opposition to capital punishment.

In stark contrast to the interpretive tendencies of the Bird court, the decisions of the Lucas court tended to adhere to the textualist approach, interpreting the law in strict accordance with its written meaning and precedent. An effect of this tendency was that in matters of criminal law, the Lucas court's interpretation of the law favored the state government more than the Bird court's.

After retiring from the Court, Lucas went back into private practice and became an arbitrator for JAMS in Los Angeles.

[edit] External links

Malcolm M. Lucas profile on JAMS Web site

Preceded by Rose Elizabeth Bird

Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court 1987 –1996

Succeeded by Ronald M. George