Talk:Missouri Plan

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Contents

[edit] Rationale for POV-check tag

This article’s neutrality is contested. Specifically, there is concern that sock puppets or biased single purpose users may be preventing reliable information from being posted in the ‘Criticism’ section of the article. Sourced information regarding criticisms of the plan may be the subject of biased deletions. (Moved here from article header. Ashdog137 (talk) 00:47, 17 May 2008 (UTC))

[edit] Deleted information

Sources and information that has been deleted by what could be a single purpose account:

[edit] Criticisms of the Missouri Plan

[edit] Excessive Influence of Elite Trial Attorneys

Better Courts for Missouri has argued that flaws in the current plan give elite trial lawyers too much control over judicial selection. According to the organization's executive director, "they are a small, insular group who have their interests. They have a lot to add to the process, but we don't think they should dominate the process - (and they) are in no way accountable to Missourians." [1]

[edit] Disenfranchisement of African Americans

Former Missouri State legislator and lawyer, Elbert Walton, has focused on the plan's effect on African Americans. "It is unfair that lawyers elect judges . . . It disenfranchises people and it especially disenfranchises black people." [2] At a press conference in February, 2008, Walton accused Missouri Bar President Charlie Harris of ignoring the Missouri Plan's effect on black people. Walton pointed to the fact that there had never been an African American elected to one of the Missouri Bar's three slots on the Appellate Judicial Commission, and suggested that Mr. Harris "ought to be ashamed of himself" for supporting such a plan.[3]

Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee has complained of his own state's version of the Missouri Plan for similar reasons.[4]

[edit] Dominated by Politics

The Editors at the Wall Street Journal wrote that, "If the recent slugfests have proven anything, it's that Missouri's courts are every bit as hung up in politics as they are in other states. The difference is that in Missouri the process happens behind closed doors." [5]

In Tennessee, Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen made similar complaints and made comments echoing those made by Better Courts for Missouri. According to Bredesen, "I think [the nominating commissioners] have been vastly too political in their selection process. And what they are supposed to do is give you the best candidates in the ideal world." [6]Freemarketman (talk) 18:30, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bob Watson, "Opponents of judicial selection process form new group" Jefferson City News Tribune. Accessed 2008-14-03.
  2. ^ Jason Noble, "Another amendment, another hearing, more of the same debate on the judicial selection process KC Star 2008-26-02. Accessed 2008-14-03.
  3. ^ Scott Lauck, St. Louis attorney says blacks left out of judicial selection Daily Record
  4. ^ Justice at Stake, Bredesen complains about Missouri Plan
  5. ^ Wall Street Journal Missouri Compromised 2007-22-12. Accessed 2008-14-03
  6. ^ Andy Sher. Chatanooga Times Free Press"Bredesen Wants Nominating Commission to Operate in Open 2008-14-01.