A Turning Point for New York Courts [Federal judge exposes Dem sham of how judges are chosen in NYS

NYT Editorial ^ | Feb, 4, 2006 | NYT Editors

[summer]

The myth that New Yorkers choose their top trial judges by democratic election was exploded last week by a 77-page federal court decision striking down the clubhouse-controlled selection process for violating the rights of candidates and voters.

Judge John Gleeson of the United States District Court in Brooklyn laid out in damning detail the state's system — unique in the nation — of letting party leaders anoint candidates for State Supreme Court judgeships at sharply controlled nominating conventions held out of public view. ...

Judge Gleeson has performed a valuable public service in pulling the plug on this sham. We also salute the lead plaintiff, Margarita López Torres, for daring to challenge judicial politics-as-usual by bringing the lawsuit back in 2004. An ex-Civil Court judge who was elected Brooklyn surrogate last fall, Ms. López Torres tried several times to compete for a Democratic Supreme Court slot, only to be shut out by party leaders offended by her refusal to let them dictate her choice of law clerks.

... the State Legislature should begin the long-overdue task of replacing the current discredited system of letting clubhouse politicians award positions on the state's top trial bench ...

Judge Gleeson has ordered primaries to select State Supreme Court nominees until state lawmakers pass legislation setting up a new system. ...

[summer]

This big news should not be news to anyone with more than half a brain who has ever suffered at the hands of one of many corrupt NYS judges.

[summer]

But, it's nice to know that after only what -- a few decades now? -- the sham has finally been exposed by a federal judge.

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

BTW, in NYS, the "State Supreme Court" is not the highest court -- in NYS the highest court is the NYS Court of Appeals.

[FreePaul]

Candidates for Judge, as well as other important political jobs, are often chosen by closed party meetings. Woe be to anyone who choses to run in a primary without the blessing of the party powerful.

[AmericaUnite]

What party is Gleason from?

[summer]

re your post #5 -- from article:

Judge John Gleeson of the United States District Court in Brooklyn laid out in damning detail the state's system — unique in the nation — of letting party leaders anoint candidates for State Supreme Court judgeships at sharply controlled nominating conventions held out of public view...

Note: "unique in the nation" (from above).

[summer]

I don't know. But NYS does a lot of weird things with its judicial system, like allowing corrupt attorneys to be involved in judicial review committees. That way, when you have a complaint about a corrupt judge bending to the demands of a corrupt attorney, you get to complain to: that same corrupt attorney. Sort of like the fox guarding the hen house. And, I guess to the Dem Party controlling the courts, this is all fine and good (being able to cover up their corruption, that is). I am very glad at least one federal judge, of whatever party, decided no, the entire system is not so good. I didn't realize the chain of corruption extended all the way in the other direction, of controlling who gets to be a law clerk, too.

[summer]

But, speaking of parties -- I bet the complainant in this matter, Ms. López Torres, would probably be open to joining some other political party, now that she has exposed the Dem corruption in the judicial system of that state! :)

[kittymyrib]

Where has the "newspaper of record" been for all these decades of corruption that they didn't investigate? Oh, that's right...they were in bed with the corrupt Democrat Party that was buying and selling judgeships. Why doesn't this pathetic rag just admit it's a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Democrats and stop the charade of being a news outlet?

[summer]

BTW, your post raises a point in my mind -- as I wonder: Why wasn't there more coverage/journalistic investigation on this issue in years past by newspapers like the NYT?

The NYT in its editorial here is making the system sound like it had been disguised -- "the myth" -- when in fact people knew, and surely the NYT knew, how "unique" the NYS judicial system had been for decades.

[summer]

See my post #11! That's what I just thinking.

[summer]

Why doesn't this pathetic rag just admit it's a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Democrats and stop the charade of being a news outlet?

Also, a lot of people -- innocent citizens -- are the ones harmed by such a judicial system. It's terrible. I have often thought the next GOP presidential candidate, if it was the right person, could win NYS and its Dem voters, should more NYS voters ever find out all that really goes on in that state.

[summer]

Come to think of it, I should have put "Dem Sham" in my title, because that's what this has been, as evidenced by this federal lawsuit:

A Turning Point for New York Courts [Federal judge exposes Dem sham of how judges are chosen in NYS]

[summer]

See my post #14.

[FreePaul]

New York's "system" may be "unique in the nation" or the judge may just be ignorant. I don't know the details of the "system" but it sounds as if the only candidates allowed to run are those who are chosen by these nominating conventions. In some states other candidates may run in the primary but they may suffer severe retribution if they pose a serious threat to the chosen candidate. If there were degrees of unique this would make the New York system less unique that the judge seems to think.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[Pharmboy]

So New Jersey and Louisiana are not the most corrupt states? Phew!

[summer]

ROTFLMAO....well, OK, I don't want to that title away from NEW JERSEY! :)

[summer]

ROTFLMAO....well, OK, I don't want to take that title away from NEW JERSEY! :)