Compact Civics
Order in the Court! Elected and Appointed Judges
10/28/2024 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Explore the debate on whether judges should be elected or appointed in this episode.
A hot topic in the country today is whether judges should be elected or appointed. Judges have been appointed by elected officials since the early days of the United States, but that tradition is changing with many judicial positions stemming from elections. Some argue for or against it. In this episode of Compact Civics, Cory McCants explores the nuances of this issue.
Compact Civics is a local public television program presented by WNED PBS
Compact Civics is made possible by the members of WNED PBS.
Compact Civics
Order in the Court! Elected and Appointed Judges
10/28/2024 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
A hot topic in the country today is whether judges should be elected or appointed. Judges have been appointed by elected officials since the early days of the United States, but that tradition is changing with many judicial positions stemming from elections. Some argue for or against it. In this episode of Compact Civics, Cory McCants explores the nuances of this issue.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- I want to talk about a hot bench issue, whether judges should be appointed or elected.
Hey, you all, Cory here and "Compact Civics" is now in session.
(bright upbeat music) In U.S. history, all judges were appointed.
Some feel that elections might pressure judges to reveal their positions on laws violating ethics.
Judges must remain impartial, focusing on legal codes from front to back.
Then there's the other side of the bench.
Some judges favor elections because they're seen as more transparent and democratic.
They can also enhance diversity, accommodating for gaps in race and gender.
Research shows that elected judges are more responsive to public opinion and also tend to be more punitive, especially towards minority defendants.
In New York, there's a hybrid approach.
Judges are chosen through partisan elections, allowing candidates to run under multiple parties.
So New York's model kind of offers an interesting middle ground, more choice, more voice.
Compact Civics is a local public television program presented by WNED PBS
Compact Civics is made possible by the members of WNED PBS.