Judge Fred Torrisi’s commentary, “Cast an informed vote for Alaska’s judges,” spurred me to share this memory that, in addition to Judge Torrisi’s comments about the integrity of Alaska’s judicial merit selection and retention system, has inspired confidence in that system for me.
I am also a retired judge. I attended classes and was on the faculty at the National Judicial College for many years. There I met and conferred with many judges from other states who are elected. I recall being struck by the amount of time and energy these judges had to devote to financing and running campaigns and the challenges that presented in maintaining the impartiality required of them. Not so in Alaska.
Alaska’s judicial selection system focuses on merit and prevents the conflicts of interest and corruption that regularly plague states with elected judges. Alaska’s judges are beholden to all citizens equally and apply the rule of law without outside political or philosophical influence. No litigant should ever have to wonder whether contributions they or anyone else made will influence a judge’s decision.
Judicial independence does not mean lack of accountability. Judges should, however, be accountable equally to all citizens — following the law and rendering unbiased judgments without concern over who financed or will finance their election campaign.
Stephanie Rhoades
Anchorage
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