 |
|
Alaska's system of selecting judges is a merit selection system intended to limit judicial appointments to what one framer of the Alaska constitution termed "the best available timber." Constitutional framers hoped to avoid a system of selection which would award judicial offices based on partisan politics, political fundrasing ability, or special interests. Alaska's constitution and statutes require that Alaska judges be appointed by the governor from a list of appointees submitted by the Alaska Judicial Council after a rigorous screening; judges are required to periodically appear on the ballot (stand for retention) to allow voters to decide whether they should be retained in office.
- See also:
Courts > Alaska Court System
Alaska
Judicial Council
The Alaska Judicial Council
is an independent state agency in the judicial branch of government; established
by the Alaska Constitution, Article IV, Section 8 with a constitutional
role in the selection of new judges, the evaluation and retention of current
judges, and research into the administration of justice.
- Constitutional and Statutory Provisions Concerning the Judicial Council
- Selection of New Judges: Current vacancies, selection procedures, and other information related to the selection and appointment of judges in the Alaska Court System.
- Judicial Evaluation Materials: Evaluation materials on judges standing for retention election. The Judicial Council collects evaluations from attorneys, peace and probation officers, jurors, social workers, public hearings, and other sources. Based on these evaluation, the council recommends to the public in the Official Election Pamphlet whether each judge hould be retained.
- Historical Log of Judicial Appointments: 1959 to present. All judicial appointments since Alaska became a state.
Justice Center articles & reports
Moras, Antonia. (Fall 2004). "A Look at Judicial Selection in Alaska." Alaska Justice Forum 21(3): 1, 7-9.
Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. (Fall 2004). "Judicial Selection in the U.S." Alaska Justice Forum 21(3): 10-12.
Justice Center projects
- Judicial Candidates Evaluation Surveys (JC 9005). Robert H. Langworthy. Alaska Judicial Council. As judicial vacancies occur.
- Judicial Retention Election Surveys (JC 9213, 9410, 9612, 9819, 0021). Robert H. Langworthy. Alaska Judicial Council. 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000.