Experts Discuss Influence of Money, Politics
Fair Courts E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Author: Walt Williams
Source: The State Journal
Date: 09/10/2008
Article reports that in the "midst of another high-profile race for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, state lawmakers are reviewing how other states pick their judges, and are finding no simple answers." During a forum hosted by one of West Virginia's legislative judicial subcommittees, five legal experts discussed the issue, referencing studies showing evidence that "campaign donations may have an effect on rulings." One study "found that law firms that gave generously to judicial candidates were more successful in court," while another study found that "[s]tates that allow partisan elections of judges levy larger financial penalties against out-of-state corporations than those that select judges in other ways." The influence of money on judicial elections also has come under question, "partly as a result of Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's decision to fund special interest groups interested in Supreme Court elections."