3 ms·

Not all judges are elected, some are appointed. Same with prosecutors, it’s usually only the top one that’s elected. It gives you an opportunity to select the

by wil421 7y ago

Not all judges are elected, some are appointed. Same with prosecutors, it’s usually only the top one that’s elected. It gives you an opportunity to select the type of community you want to live in. Some elections are partisan and some non-partisan. If you’re in an liberal county you have the option to select a liberal candidate and vice versa. I doubt a very liberal or conservative community would want to be stuck with someone with opposing views.

Beldin 7y ago
> It [elections] gives you an opportunity to select the type of community you want to live in. I'm curious: how does that work out in practice? Do folks in the USA typically live in the type of communities they'd like to live in?
- wil421 7y ago
  I’d like to think so but it’s a gradual shift. The county I live and grew up in was very conservative 10+ years ago, lately it’s been more liberal (but not as liberal at the state level). If you would’ve told me in the early 2000s the county would vote Democrat in the 2016 elections I wouldn’t have believed you. People have told me they want to move out of my county because it’s becoming too liberal, whether they actually do it or not is up for debate. Mostly cranky old people, family included. The West has historically been a tough of crime (old Wild West) place. Here’s an interesting Sheriff from Phoenix, Arizona. Joe Arpaio[1]. His tough on crime and immigration stance that made his career was also his down fall. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio
consp 7y ago
The point that a partisan attitude matters in a legal system is horrific to me. Laws should not be interpreted in personal bias, especially not by a, supposedly, impartial arbiter. While true that almost anyone will have some bias, it should (in my view) never be considered in the entirety of the system let alone as a starting point for the highest judge. > I doubt a very liberal or conservative community would want to be stuck with someone with opposing views. A conservative with a liberal judge would want the judge to be impartial to their view on politics.
- wil421 7y ago
  Would you rather the laws and justice be determined by Religious views? Like they are in ultra-conservative Middle East or Europe in the not too distant past? Or determined by a monarch with absolute authority? You’re being naive if you think politics don’t shape laws or justice.
  - sobani 7y ago
    What makes you think you'd be allowed to elect your judges in a country with a monarch with absolute authority or that you would be allowed to elect a gay judge in a ultra-conservative country? As for politics in justice, I'd like to think serious questions would be asked in my country if it came to light judges let their political believes affect their decisions.
dmurray 7y ago
Wouldn't that happen just as much with appointed judges? You vote for a liberal/conservative councillor or mayor or state rep or governor, they appoint a judge who has suitable views, but who may not be charismatic enough to win an election.
- wil421 7y ago
  I wish I knew enough about appointments to provide an insightful comment.

by wil421 7y ago

Beldin 7y ago

> It [elections] gives you an opportunity to select the type of community you want to live in. I'm curious: how does that work out in practice? Do folks in the USA typically live in the type of communities they'd like to live in?

wil421 7y ago
I’d like to think so but it’s a gradual shift. The county I live and grew up in was very conservative 10+ years ago, lately it’s been more liberal (but not as liberal at the state level). If you would’ve told me in the early 2000s the county would vote Democrat in the 2016 elections I wouldn’t have believed you. People have told me they want to move out of my county because it’s becoming too liberal, whether they actually do it or not is up for debate. Mostly cranky old people, family included. The West has historically been a tough of crime (old Wild West) place. Here’s an interesting Sheriff from Phoenix, Arizona. Joe Arpaio[1]. His tough on crime and immigration stance that made his career was also his down fall. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio

consp 7y ago

The point that a partisan attitude matters in a legal system is horrific to me. Laws should not be interpreted in personal bias, especially not by a, supposedly, impartial arbiter. While true that almost anyone will have some bias, it should (in my view) never be considered in the entirety of the system let alone as a starting point for the highest judge. > I doubt a very liberal or conservative community would want to be stuck with someone with opposing views. A conservative with a liberal judge would want the judge to be impartial to their view on politics.

wil421 7y ago
Would you rather the laws and justice be determined by Religious views? Like they are in ultra-conservative Middle East or Europe in the not too distant past? Or determined by a monarch with absolute authority? You’re being naive if you think politics don’t shape laws or justice.
- sobani 7y ago
  What makes you think you'd be allowed to elect your judges in a country with a monarch with absolute authority or that you would be allowed to elect a gay judge in a ultra-conservative country? As for politics in justice, I'd like to think serious questions would be asked in my country if it came to light judges let their political believes affect their decisions.

dmurray 7y ago

Wouldn't that happen just as much with appointed judges? You vote for a liberal/conservative councillor or mayor or state rep or governor, they appoint a judge who has suitable views, but who may not be charismatic enough to win an election.

wil421 7y ago
I wish I knew enough about appointments to provide an insightful comment.