Thursday, April 23, 2009

Common Cause Urges Governor to Choose Judges

Wednesday, April 22nd marks the 22nd day since the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) sent a list of finalists to Governor Carcieri for the position of Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The law creating the JNC (§ 8-16.1-5) clearly states “(b) The governor shall fill any such vacancy within twenty-one (21) days of the public submission by the commission.” Common Cause Rhode Island asks; where is our new Chief Justice?

“The proper administration of justice relies on a fully staffed judiciary,” says John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, “and by ignoring the law concerning judicial vacancies, the Governor is preventing that from happening.” Besides the current vacancy for the Chief Justice slot, there are two other vacancies for which the JNC provided lists to the Governor, in 2008, and that are still unfilled. Common Cause Rhode Island urges Governor Carcieri to fill all judicial vacancies in a timely manner and in accordance with the law.

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