09-26-2006, 12:02 AM
Hi,
The part you are missing is that judges at lower levels (State, County, and Municipal) are selected according to the laws of the individual jurisdictions. Clearly, New York State has some carry overs whose mentality (if I may use that word loosely) predate Magna Carta. However, the requirements do seem to vary quite a bit from state to state. I Googled requirements "municipal judge" and found a fair amount of information. At least some states require a municipal court judge to either be a member of the bar or to take (and sometimes even pass;)) a course.
--Pete
Quote:Or am I missing some elements of the equation?Federal judges are appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate. Sometimes this works better, sometimes worse, mostly depending on whether the president and the majority of the Senate are of the same party.
The part you are missing is that judges at lower levels (State, County, and Municipal) are selected according to the laws of the individual jurisdictions. Clearly, New York State has some carry overs whose mentality (if I may use that word loosely) predate Magna Carta. However, the requirements do seem to vary quite a bit from state to state. I Googled requirements "municipal judge" and found a fair amount of information. At least some states require a municipal court judge to either be a member of the bar or to take (and sometimes even pass;)) a course.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?