LWV MN - Impartial Judiciary Stand
LWVMN affirms that the judiciary is a co-equal branch of government under the Constitution that must operate in accordance with the principles of independence, impartiality and fairness. A judge's first duty is to the rule of law.
LWVMN supports a process of judicial selection and retention that produces judges who:
• are independent and not beholden to any special interest, moneyed interest, or partisan interest.
• are accountable to the Constitution and to the rule of law.
• are competent and possess integrity.
• afford fair treatment to all participants.
LWVMN supports a system of judicial selection and retention that:
• provides for a role for the public.
• is as free from political influence as possible.
LWVMN supports a system of selection and retention of district court and appellate courts judges that includes:
I. initial appointment to judgeship by the governor, who is required to choose from a list of candidates forwarded by a nominating commission;
II. end-of-term evaluation of the judge's performance by an evaluation commission, results to be made available to the public;
III retention election: voters choose to retain or not retain the judge. The nominating and evaluation commissions should be broadly based and nonpartisan.
LWVMN supports a process of judicial selection and retention that produces judges who:
• are independent and not beholden to any special interest, moneyed interest, or partisan interest.
• are accountable to the Constitution and to the rule of law.
• are competent and possess integrity.
• afford fair treatment to all participants.
LWVMN supports a system of judicial selection and retention that:
• provides for a role for the public.
• is as free from political influence as possible.
LWVMN supports a system of selection and retention of district court and appellate courts judges that includes:
I. initial appointment to judgeship by the governor, who is required to choose from a list of candidates forwarded by a nominating commission;
II. end-of-term evaluation of the judge's performance by an evaluation commission, results to be made available to the public;
III retention election: voters choose to retain or not retain the judge. The nominating and evaluation commissions should be broadly based and nonpartisan.