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I'm here at the @Queens_Dems Judicial Convention with @julia_forman, @MiriamBensman, @HeatherEBD, and my colleagues in the Democratic Party.
You might be wondering—what is a Judicial Convention? What are Judicial Delegates? Here we go: (1/x)
You might be wondering—what is a Judicial Convention? What are Judicial Delegates? Here we go: (1/x)
In New York State, there are local courts (Civil Court in NYC, County Courts, etc.) and then there are the three levels of state court: Supreme Court, which appeals to the Appellate Division, which appeals to the Court of Appeals, the highest court in the State. (2/x)
Local judges are nominated in primary elections and elected in general elections, just like for City Council, Assembly, etc. Justices in the Appellate Division and Court of Appeals are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. (3/x)
Supreme Court justices are also *elected* in general elections. But they are *nominated* in this very strange process we call a Judicial Convention. Instead of voting for justices on primary day, we elect Judicial Delegates who, in turn, vote at a Convention for justices. (4/x)
This process is done by Judicial District, which in NYC, is just by borough. So here in Queens, the Judicial Convention is run by @Queens_Dems. I am one of 176 Judicial Delegates elected to nominate judges to serve on the Supreme Court in Queens. (5/x)
There's a problem with this system, though. Instead of being able to appeal to voters directly, aspiring Supreme Court justices must curry favor with the leadership of the Party, who in turn direct Judicial Delegates whom to vote for. (6/x)
Even though I was duly elected to represent the interests of the Democrats living in Assembly District 37, I only found out the names of the candidates (for 9 spots this year) upon arriving at the meeting. (7/x)
These candidates do, on paper, appear to be qualified. But I'm not a lawyer, and I didn't have a chance to interview them, do my research on them, or consult with my friends who are lawyers about them. (8/x)
This process needs to be improved, badly. Other counties have public judicial screening panels, and the candidates go to Democratic clubs to be interviewed by their potential constituents. (9/x)
As a delegate and District Leader, I call upon @Queens_Dems to work with stakeholders to create an open and transparent process, including a public screening panel composed of appointees from bar associations. I will report back the results of tonight's convention soon. (10/x)
