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ACROSS SESSIONS

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1995 SESSION

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LD9843000
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 584 Offered January 23, 1995 Requesting the Attorney General to conduct a study to review methods for the selection of judges for the Courts of the Commonwealth and to make recommendations regarding selection of judges. ---------- Patron--McClure ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, judges for the various courts of the Commonwealth have substantial power and discretion to affect and alter the lives of the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, judges of the courts of the Commonwealth play a crucial role in the criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, the method of selection of judges for recommendation to the General Assembly varies throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, there has been recent substantial public comment regarding the Commonwealth's methods for selecting judges; and

WHEREAS, it is beneficial to the public interest to periodically review the methods for the selection of judges; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Attorney General be requested to conduct a study as to whether the present method for the selection of judges for all courts should be changed or altered. In conducting the study, the Attorney General shall consider:

1. The present method for the selection of judges and whether these methods should be altered or changed;

2. What criteria should be used, including “merit,” as that term may be defined by the diverse citizenry of the Commonwealth;

3. What impact, if any, changes in the methods of selecting judges may have on the criminal justice system, civil proceedings and appellate review; and

4. Any other matter deemed significant by the Attorney General in the selection of judges.

The Attorney General shall consult representatives of attorneys including, but not limited to, criminal defense lawyers, lawyers who routinely represent plaintiffs or defendants in civil negligence cases, the various bar associations, the Supreme Court, court clerks and the general public. The Attorney General shall complete his work in time to submit his findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Regular Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.